Plano firefighter dies of stroke: 24- year-old was Navy veteran, R. L. Turner graduate By Bill Conrad, [email protected] A Plano firefighter died Monday evening after a short stint in a Fort Worth hospital. Brody Fleming, 24, had been in critical condition at Harris Methodist in Fort Worth after suffering a stroke on March 7. Fleming was at a friend's house in Denton when the stroke occurred, and was transported by CareFlite to the hospital, where he underwent emergency surgery. Capt. Peggy Harrell, a spokeswoman for the fire department, said Fleming was a fire rescue specialist and EMT who had worked in Plano since June 2011. Fleming, a 2005 graduate of R.L. Turner High School in Carrollton, served in the U.S. Navy in Atsugi, Japan prior to becoming a firefighter. After his death, Fleming's family donated his organs. Chief Hugo Esparza said Fleming was a firefighter who went above and beyond what his duties were. "Firefighter Fleming served the citizens of Plano honorably from Fire Station 1 and will be missed by his Plano Fire Department family and the community," the chief said in a written statement. "He is remembered not only for his service as a firefighter, but as a community educator, having just recently helped on a door-to-door neighborhood canvass to ensure homes in Plano had working smoke alarms. The Plano Fire Department was fortunate to know him and count him as one of ours. He leaves behind a legacy of helping others and a pride and passion for his job." A memorial service for Fleming is scheduled for Friday, March 16 at 11 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Road in Plano.

Plano Courier - Wednesday, March 14, 2012 1:08 PM CDT

Stroke claims young Plano firefighter
.by JONATHAN BETZ
WFAA
Posted on March 13, 2012 at 5:52 PM


PLANO — The Plano Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its youngest firefighters. Brody Fleming, 24, died Monday afternoon from a stroke, his family said.

"The kid was in great health," said his brother, Colter Fleming, 27, as he packed up his little brother's now empty apartment in The Colony. "You just never know when God is calling you home."

He said Fleming suddenly collapsed at a friend's home on Wednesday and died days later at Texas Health Fort Worth Hospital.

His family said Fleming was largely healthy, exercised often, and worked a very physical job as a Plano firefighter.

After Brody Fleming graduated from Carrollton's R. L. Turner High School in 2005, he enlisted in the Navy before joining the Plano Fire Department in June, 2011.

"Brody had a real passion for saving lives," his brother said. "Brody ran to things other people shied away from."

He said Brody suffered from ulcerative colitis — a colon disease — but his family said doctors gave no indication it caused the stroke.

Long considered a problem for older people, strokes are rising among the young. Recent research shows more young people and adults are being hospitalized for stroke, even as the rates drop in older Americans.

The American Stroke Association says the number of ischemic strokes in 15- to 34-year-old men jumped by 51 percent from 1994 to 2007. Over the same time period, it dropped by nearly 25 percent for men over the age of 45.

"We cannot link anything in particular to the trend in younger patients," wrote Xin Tong, a health statistician with the Centers for Disease Control, in a statement when the study was released last year. "I believe the role of obesity and hypertension will prompt a big discussion. Unfortunately, right now we can't speculate on the causes."

Stroke occurs when blood is cut off to the brain — either by a clot or a burst blood vessel. High blood pressure, smoking, and diabetes are all considered risk factors.

According to the American Stroke Association, strokes kill more than 137,000 people a year, making it the fourth leading cause of death in the United States.

Colter Fleming said his brother's stroke arrived "out of the blue" and in the prime of Brody's life. "He had his apartment; he had the truck he always wanted; he had the greatest job you could ever think about," he said. "You really only get one chance in life, so use it."

A memorial service for Firefighter Fleming will be held on Friday, March 16 at 11 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Plano.

Fleming's family donated his organs.

Brody Reville Fleming
June 9th, 1987 - March 12th, 2012

Brody was born on June 9, 1987 in Houston, Texas and left his earthly body on 03-12-2012. He is the beloved son of Joy Fellenz and Jim Fleming, and stepson of John Fellenz and Carrie Ann Moore. Brody was the cherished brother of Colter Fleming and his fiancée Kelly Sindler, step-brother to Kelly and Tim Blackstone, Courtney and Matt Hole; he is also survived by loving grandmothers Bette Bradley and Lucille Fleming and a host of uncles, aunts, cousins, friends and family members. Brody’s educational path took many twists and turns. He attended Anneliese’s Preschool, Top of the World Elementary School, St. Anne’s Catholic School, St. Margaret’s Episcopal School, Capistrano Valley Christian School and Trabuco Hills High School in Orange County, CA. He also attended Westridge Middle School and Westlake High School in Austin, TX graduating in 2005 from R.L. Turner in Carrollton, TX. Brody entered The University of Nevada Las Vegas in the fall of 2005 but decided after the first semester to enlist in The United States Navy. He served at Atsugi Naval Air Station in Japan. Coming back to the states, Brody enrolled at Blinn College, Brenham but after driving by TEEX Fire Academy in College Station realized his dream ambition was to become a firefighter/paramedic. He completed firefighter training at Desoto Fire Academy, EMT training and paramedic school at Blinn College, Bryan, Texas. Brody was a terrific athlete, a child actor and model, a bartender and bouncer, valet car parker, waiter, EMS driver, but it was when he got hired by the Plano Fire Department on June 20, 2011 that Brody found his true calling, his passion and his career for life. The family wishes to express their deepest and most sincere appreciation to the Plano Fire Department and Fort Worth Fire Department for anticipating our every need, offering friendship, support and comfort during this time of grief. We are forever grateful that when Brody was called to heaven he had achieved his greatest ambition—that of being a fireman for the City of Plano. Brody’s earthly body will be donated to LifeGift, a not-for-profit organ procurement organization whose commitment is to save the lives of men, women and children waiting for lifesaving and life-enhancing organ and tissue transplants. Brody was a sweet soul who cared about others. This donation will be the ultimate pay it forward so that others can benefit. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to The Brody Fleming Memorial Fund at Wells Fargo Bank. The Brody Fleming Memorial Fund will seek to provide scholarships for worthy young people to pursue their dreams of becoming a firefighter and assist in colon disease and neuroscience research. To contribute, stop by or call your nearest Wells Fargo branch and ask to deposit funds dedicated for this account. Questions may be emailed to [email protected] A service and celebration of Brody’s life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, March 16th at Christ United Methodist Church, 3101 Coit Road, Plano, Texas, located at the intersection of Coit and Parker Roads. There will be a reception to follow the service.