James "Jim" Flemming

James Benjamin Flemming, Jr "Jim" passed away on December 31, 2020. He was preceded in death by his mother, Anne Dawson Dorris, his father, James Benjamin Flemming, and is survived by his wife, Dianna Hartselle Flemming, his two children, Rebecca Flemming Jacobs (John) and Allison Flemming Leitner (James) and his stepsister Debra Dorris Joyner (Bill). He is also survived by two grandchildren, Lillian Hartselle Leitner "Lily" and Benjamin Andrews Leitner "Ben," two step-grandchildren, James Edward Leitner, Jr and McKenzie John Jacobs "Mack" and a niece and nephew Jennifer Lyn Joyner (Joao Fino) and William Randolph Joyner. Jim was born September 1, 1943, in Birmingham, AL and graduated from The University of Alabama in 1966 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, where he was the president of Theta Xi fraternity and met the love of his life Dianna Hartselle. He also received a graduate degree from The Stonier Graduate School of Banking in 1974. Jim and Dianna were married on August 28, 1966 and were blessed to celebrate 54 years of marriage. They moved to Birmingham, Alabama where Jim joined the management training program at Birmingham Trust. Jim briefly worked in Dalton, Georgia before moving to Florence, Alabama where he started the Bank of Florence (now Bank Independent). In 1985, the family returned to their beloved home of Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where they have lived for the past 35 years. Jim served as President of Tuscaloosa's SouthTrust Bank, and in 1988 started the Bank of Tuscaloosa (now Synovus), where he was inducted into the Synovus Hall of Fame. After retiring from Synovus, Jim completed his career as the Chairman and CEO of FNB of Central Alabama (now BankFirst). Jim retired again in 2019 and continued to serve on the board of BankFirst and the Tuscaloosa County Industrial Development Authority. Jim was also passionate about serving his community. He was proudest of being a founding member of the Tuscaloosa Business Exchange and serving as co-chair of the Lewis and Faye Manderson Cancer Center Campaign. Jim also served as campaign chairperson for the United Way, was a member of the President's Cabinet at The University of Alabama, and a graduate of Leadership Alabama. Jim was honored as a Pillar of West Alabama and inducted into the Tuscaloosa County Civic Hall of Fame. Jim and Dianna were named the 2014 Alexis de Tocqueville Society Family of the Year. Spending time with their grandchildren, Lily and Ben, was the centerpiece of Jim and Dianna's lives together. One of his favorite pastimes was enjoying a great meal with Dianna and their friends. Jim was also a lifelong adventurer. He fished the boundary waters, rode the rapids in the Grand Canyon, ran the Pikes Peak marathon, cleared trails as a volunteer forest ranger, rode bikes through Italy's countryside, parachuted from airplanes, bungee jumped and went on a safari in Africa. He will be forever in the hearts of his wife, family and dear friends. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lewis and Faye Manderson Cancer Center, Hospice of West Alabama or First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa. A private family service will be held.