I'm free
Don't grieve for me, for now I'm free
I'm following the path God laid for me
I took his hand when I heard him call
I turned my back and left it all
I could not stay another day
To laugh, to love, to work or play
Tasks left undone must stay that way
I found that place at the close of day
If my parting has left a void
Then fill it with remembered joy
A friendship shared, a laugh, a kiss
Ah yes, these things, I too, will miss
Be not burdened with time of sorrow
I wish you the sunshine of tomorrow
My life's been full, I savored much
Good friends, good times, a loved one's touch
Perhaps my time seemed all to brief
Don't lenghten it now with undue grief
Lift up your heart and share with me
God wanted me now, He set me free
Author Unknown
Slideshow
First of all I want to say that my heart and prayers go out to the Fleming Family and Friends. May we all find peace through this time of our lives. I meet Sean around 1992 and from there on, nothing but great memories, stories, and other great friends to share those moments with. Man Sean could make me laugh so much that it would end up hurting.
Sean was one of my best friends, someone who I could talk to at any time and about anything. I was very fortunate to be able to spend 3 days with him about a month ago. It was relaxing and a nice visit seeing him happy and also to see him turn the second room into a complete gym, it was classic. We went through old pictures and trips, basically went down memory lane.I will miss him dearly and I know you all will too. Sean will always have a special place in my heart and knowing he will be watching over all of us. Sean touched so many hearts in so many ways and could put a smile on your face at any time and still does with all the great memories. He was there for me through the roughest time of my life, supporting and encouraging me to stay strong. He had Faith in me when I didn't. I couldn't thank him enough. Sean is an awesome friend and still is because he lives with in all of us.
Love, Joey Wallhausen
Sean was one of my best friends, someone who I could talk to at any time and about anything. I was very fortunate to be able to spend 3 days with him about a month ago. It was relaxing and a nice visit seeing him happy and also to see him turn the second room into a complete gym, it was classic. We went through old pictures and trips, basically went down memory lane.I will miss him dearly and I know you all will too. Sean will always have a special place in my heart and knowing he will be watching over all of us. Sean touched so many hearts in so many ways and could put a smile on your face at any time and still does with all the great memories. He was there for me through the roughest time of my life, supporting and encouraging me to stay strong. He had Faith in me when I didn't. I couldn't thank him enough. Sean is an awesome friend and still is because he lives with in all of us.
Love, Joey Wallhausen
A few years ago I was visiting with Sean at Pete and Cathy's house. Sean was going through a difficult time. I asked Sean if he wanted to join me for a surf. He looked at me like I was nuts, b/c the surf didn't look so hot. I mentioned the tide would be dropping, and we might get lucky. Sean agreed to go... probably still thinking it was a silly idea. For the entire day I had been there Sean was not himself. Once we paddled out.... a new energy came out. Sean smiled and he was back. "At least we got these 2 footers all to ourselves", he cheered. The tide did drop, and we managed to have a good hour of fun. I have been thinking about that time I had with Sean a lot. Sean loved the ocean. It brought peace to his life. It brings peace to my mind knowing that is where he is.
I will miss surfing with Sean, but I look forward to the waves he will send out in front of Pete and Cathy's house. I will certainly be thinking of him everytime.
Joe
I will miss surfing with Sean, but I look forward to the waves he will send out in front of Pete and Cathy's house. I will certainly be thinking of him everytime.
Joe
Hi,
I know this is a terrible time for everyone, but I want to add something to the blog:
Sean and I used to play football together at Nordhoff High when we were freshmen, but I didn't really know him at the time.
All the other guys except me (I thought) had played for the Eagles for a few years before so when I began my very first year of organized football I felt a little overmatched and underweight. It was as if I was walking into a movie halfway through, knowing there was a quiz at the end. I remember one day we were in a receiver drill with Coach Coleman throwing passes. As I went out on a post pattern, Coleman's pass sailed high into the air, and like anyone ambitious enough to want to start, I leaped high into the air to catch it. Andy Dalto was playing safety and waiting for me to come down before blasting me into the sticker filled grass. All I remember is a football helmet colliding with my chest, then echoes (the cliche of someone knocked out), then a circle of helmet covered heads asking me if I was OK. I was told later I was out for fifteen seconds, but it felt like no time at all.
I jumped up and jogged back to the huddle, unable to steer myself in any straight direction. Coach Burns saw me swerving and told me to sit out the next play. I stood there, feeling strange and numb, tears - not crying tears, but tears of someone whose brain was shaken a bit much, running down my face.
I remember Sean standing next to me, helmet on his head asking me, "you all right?" and I remember me feeling very uncool at the time trying to pretend like I didn't just have my head scrambled, because Sean was one of the cool kids, he had this aura of invincibility, and I felt as if I needed to prove myself to stack up.
Now this story seems a bit superficial, but it has a point: Sean never was too cool for anyone. He was just so fun loving that people who didn't know him so well, like me, were a bit envious him and people he associated with. But once I got to know him over the course of that first sweaty season of Ranger football I wish I could go back to that time when I got knocked out and he asked me how I was, because I wouldn't have played it cool. I would have told him the truth, that I was just hit by Mike Tyson and felt like a mental patient with jellybrains, and I know he would have laughed that low gutteral haw haw I can still hear when I think about it hard enough. And I would have laughed back because it was funny that two skinny surfers were sweating through hell week when we could have been riding C-street south swells. . Because now when I think about it, Sean was a lot cooler and friendlier than I ever pictured him before I knew him. Our lives went in different directions, but the meager time I did spend with him was memorable enough to make an impression.
-Miles Robertson
I know this is a terrible time for everyone, but I want to add something to the blog:
Sean and I used to play football together at Nordhoff High when we were freshmen, but I didn't really know him at the time.
All the other guys except me (I thought) had played for the Eagles for a few years before so when I began my very first year of organized football I felt a little overmatched and underweight. It was as if I was walking into a movie halfway through, knowing there was a quiz at the end. I remember one day we were in a receiver drill with Coach Coleman throwing passes. As I went out on a post pattern, Coleman's pass sailed high into the air, and like anyone ambitious enough to want to start, I leaped high into the air to catch it. Andy Dalto was playing safety and waiting for me to come down before blasting me into the sticker filled grass. All I remember is a football helmet colliding with my chest, then echoes (the cliche of someone knocked out), then a circle of helmet covered heads asking me if I was OK. I was told later I was out for fifteen seconds, but it felt like no time at all.
I jumped up and jogged back to the huddle, unable to steer myself in any straight direction. Coach Burns saw me swerving and told me to sit out the next play. I stood there, feeling strange and numb, tears - not crying tears, but tears of someone whose brain was shaken a bit much, running down my face.
I remember Sean standing next to me, helmet on his head asking me, "you all right?" and I remember me feeling very uncool at the time trying to pretend like I didn't just have my head scrambled, because Sean was one of the cool kids, he had this aura of invincibility, and I felt as if I needed to prove myself to stack up.
Now this story seems a bit superficial, but it has a point: Sean never was too cool for anyone. He was just so fun loving that people who didn't know him so well, like me, were a bit envious him and people he associated with. But once I got to know him over the course of that first sweaty season of Ranger football I wish I could go back to that time when I got knocked out and he asked me how I was, because I wouldn't have played it cool. I would have told him the truth, that I was just hit by Mike Tyson and felt like a mental patient with jellybrains, and I know he would have laughed that low gutteral haw haw I can still hear when I think about it hard enough. And I would have laughed back because it was funny that two skinny surfers were sweating through hell week when we could have been riding C-street south swells. . Because now when I think about it, Sean was a lot cooler and friendlier than I ever pictured him before I knew him. Our lives went in different directions, but the meager time I did spend with him was memorable enough to make an impression.
-Miles Robertson
First and foremost let me say how deeply sorry I am that the we all have lost such an amazing person, who has brought so many fun and special memories to our lives. I first met the Flemings when I was about 6 years old. We all ran track together and our families quickly became great friends. As the years progressed and we got older we grew closer and there wasn't a weekend during track season that I wasn't spending the night at the Fleming's house or one Fleming or another wasn't spending the night at our house. We went on many family vacations with the Flemings, waterskiing, snowskiing, wherever.
As my family and I were out on our boat a couple weeks ago, I was telling my kids how we used to go on vacation with the Flemings and between them and me and my brother.. we would have boys against girls "Tube Wars". Three girls and three boys on each tube and we would kick, shove and push and try to knock each other off the tube as Pete would whip the boat around and try to knock us all off.
My childhood was filled with memories of Sean and the entire Fleming family.... Even though I haven't seen him since high school, he is so much a part of my life, because he was a part of my childhood, and it wouldn't have been the same without him or any of the Flemings.
I will continue to pray for peace and closure for all of us who were fortunate enough to have known Sean.
Zandee Meadows
As my family and I were out on our boat a couple weeks ago, I was telling my kids how we used to go on vacation with the Flemings and between them and me and my brother.. we would have boys against girls "Tube Wars". Three girls and three boys on each tube and we would kick, shove and push and try to knock each other off the tube as Pete would whip the boat around and try to knock us all off.
My childhood was filled with memories of Sean and the entire Fleming family.... Even though I haven't seen him since high school, he is so much a part of my life, because he was a part of my childhood, and it wouldn't have been the same without him or any of the Flemings.
I will continue to pray for peace and closure for all of us who were fortunate enough to have known Sean.
Zandee Meadows
I just wanted to tell how sorry I am for your loss. Sean and I had a brief crush when he and I worked at Ojai Ice Cream. He was only 15 and I was 18 but he was always so kind, mature and an all around great person. We some how connected again in our mid twenties and I was lucky enough to hang out with him a few times. He was working at Vandenberg and living in Arroyo Grande. I remember how impressed I was that he had grown into a talented and still sweet man. Sean had recorded some of music, I believe he was into playing the guitar and sang. He played some of his songs for me. I was also so intrigued at how responsible he was at such a young age as he told me he was already saving to buy a home and for a future family.
My cousin's husband is a fire fighter up here in SB and he and his fellow peers took their own boat out as of last Thursday to search for Sean. I know he was loved not only by his family and friends, but the countless service members of this community.
I had been trying to find him again through Facebook, but to no avail. When I heard what happened, I was crushed. I know how amazing he was and he will always hold a special place in my heart. I pray for you and your family during this very difficult time.
I hope that Sean's spirit will live on through memories and stories. I wanted to share mine so you know how many people he touched.
Best,
Maya Barraza
My cousin's husband is a fire fighter up here in SB and he and his fellow peers took their own boat out as of last Thursday to search for Sean. I know he was loved not only by his family and friends, but the countless service members of this community.
I had been trying to find him again through Facebook, but to no avail. When I heard what happened, I was crushed. I know how amazing he was and he will always hold a special place in my heart. I pray for you and your family during this very difficult time.
I hope that Sean's spirit will live on through memories and stories. I wanted to share mine so you know how many people he touched.
Best,
Maya Barraza
Sean was my neighbor and a huge part of my growing years. I met him when I was 13. He was one of my closest childhood friends and I have a million and one memories about him. Most involve a hike up or down the hill and a place we called the community room, and a couple end with him being grounded (all for a good cause of course). He had the most amazing smile and laugh. I can hear it so clearly in my head and when I picture him it is with a huge smile. He was insanely charming and a beautiful person inside and out. I will cherish all the good times we had and hold him in my heart forever. I wish him eternal love and peace.
Ellene Friedlander Donaldson
Ellene Friedlander Donaldson
Sean was an incredibly kind, selfless and humble person. One of my memories that I will never forget was at Christmas 2008 when he went well over the x-mas gift "budget" and gave me a massage in San Francisco because my Mom had recently died. He had put so much thought and effort into that gift and I was so incredibly touched. I also can't get that laugh of his out of my head. It was infectious :-). I am honored to have known him and am sad that my children will not get the opportunity to spend more time with him. He was so great with them and Chloe always brags about her Uncle Sean the Fireman. :-( A tragedy like this could not have happened to a more loving family.
xxoo's,
Sara
xxoo's,
Sara
Well,it is hard to know where to begin or what to say. My heart is breaking for your family. You are all in my daily thoughts and prayers.I want to share a beautiful moment on my way to Carpinteria a couple of nights ago.It was sunset and the ocean was calm and beautiful. I spoke out to Sean and felt a peace come over me. There will never be a time that I look out at the ocean and won't think of him or the happy memories that we have shared together in life since Elementary school.I have funny memories of working together at Ojai Ice Cream.He would be making the ice cream in the back blaring Led Zeppelin and I'd make fresh waffle cones and we would dip on in:)...I think of good dinners at Ferraro's with friends and how he would call me Jilly, and I called him Seany. I last saw Sean at the Oak View Shell station pumping gas and we shared a warm hug. My deepest regret is not attending the Pennywise concert at the Ventura Theatre with him and friends in March of this year. Sean brought the ticket to my house and left it under the mat. I had worked all day and was exhausted...I decided against going. For some reason I saved the ticket,my last momento of him.I will remember so much about him, mostly what a good, down to earth guy he was, his beautiful smile and his great love of music and guitar.I hear his voice in my head, and feel him in my heart. My deepest sympathies.
With Love,
Jill Payne Harwood
With Love,
Jill Payne Harwood
When Tim and I were dating and I started attending Fleming Family functions I always felt very welcome. Sean was a huge part of that feeling. His smile lit up a room and his laugh was infectious. If you were standing alone he would come over and start a conversation and immediately put you at ease. He was so genuine and kind. From the moment I met Pete, Cathy and the kids I was in awe of their bond. You could feel the immense love they have for each other by simply being in their presence. Holiday gatherings are my favorite memory of Sean – especially watching him interact with his siblings and cousins. The holidays will be tough without him in the flesh, but I know in my heart he will still be there watching over all of us. We miss you now and always.
Christina
Christina
I'm still in a state of shock that his has happened to Sean, to your family, to our family. Please know that my thoughts and prayers have been with your family and that they will continue to be with you. I have such fond memories of the times I spent with Sean up in Mammoth. He joined us for December trips several times. I will always remember that EVERY TIME he saw me... in Mammoth, at ANY family get together... he would give me a hard time about how I needed to give in and agree to go on a big family trip to Lake Powell. Lakes have never been my thing. I would always smile and say, "No, Sean. I don't think that's going to happen... probably not ever... but you guys can go and have a great time without me. Don't let me stop you." He would never give up.... he would always ask me and bug me about it. I will miss his persistence, his smile, and chuckle about my stubbornness regarding Lake Powell. Now, someday, I'm sure I will go, I hope we will all go together, and I know I will think of Sean and remember him the entire time. This is a picture that I know Eric will treasure always. It was taken on July 1, 2006 at our wedding. I took this picture near the end of the night out on the dance floor. I'm so glad I took this picture. What a happy memory.
Love to you all.
-Alison
Love to you all.
-Alison
sean fleming carried a confidence i've seldomly seen.
a certain knowing in his eyes.
an old soul, a unique laugh and a reassuring smile.
i find myself reflecting on all the good times we shared.
memories surface and i can still see his smiling face.
the last time i saw sean we were down at the beach. he showed me a scale on the guitar and i ended up writing a song based off that scale soon after. the title of the song is 'water & bones'. it was written while staring out over the pacific ocean and realizing how we are mostly made of water and how connected that makes us to the oceans.
what a beautiful person.
he is dearly missed...
~ted lennon
a certain knowing in his eyes.
an old soul, a unique laugh and a reassuring smile.
i find myself reflecting on all the good times we shared.
memories surface and i can still see his smiling face.
the last time i saw sean we were down at the beach. he showed me a scale on the guitar and i ended up writing a song based off that scale soon after. the title of the song is 'water & bones'. it was written while staring out over the pacific ocean and realizing how we are mostly made of water and how connected that makes us to the oceans.
what a beautiful person.
he is dearly missed...
~ted lennon
I was in Sean's class, friends with him, and continued the friendship into our 20s. My sister was in your class, and my best friend was in Charlene's class. I send so much love to your family, and I hope you know how many people are talking about Sean and remembering wonderful things about him.
Nisa Barker
Nisa Barker
Hi,
We were only real close to Sean for a short period . . . Sean stayed with us for a while while attending Hancock College in Santa Maria, taking firefighting courses.
He was a young man who knew what he wanted to do the rest of his life, and was doing what was necessary to accomplish that goal. I've only known a few people, his age, who knew exactly what they wanted to do with their life, and had a plan to accomplish it.
I don't ever remember him saying anything negative . . . he was always positive, good natured, and in his own way, kind of shy, person.
That short period wasn't long enough to really enjoy the wonderful person he was. . .
Uncle Jerry
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