Remembering Rex
ACU Optimist |
ACU Today |
Abilene Reporter-News |
CaringBridge Journal
Rex Fleming, the 10-year-old son of ACU assistant athletics director for media relations
Lance Fleming, passed away Sunday night after a two-year battle with brain cancer.
Rex was a fixture at many ACU sporting events and provided a constant source of inspiration for the Wildcat coaches and student-athletes. Earlier this month, Rex served as an honorary ACU football coach and called both the opening coin toss and game's first play - a 33-yard completion from Mitchell Gale to Taylor Gabriel. ACU went on to win the game, 22-16, in overtime against nationally ranked West Alabama.
The football team again honored Rex during its season finale at Incarnate Word on Nov. 10 by wearing red wristbands around their ankle. The Wildcats won the game, 24-12, to finish their year at 7-4.
ACU's volleyball team marked their wrists that same weekend with either the words 'Rex' or 'P4X', which is shorthand for Pray For Rex, and the women's basketball team wore purple 'Playing For Rex' t-shirts prior to its season opener vs. Texas A&M-International.
Volleyball went 2-0 that weekend to secure its spot in the Lone Star Conference Championship, while basketball was a 94-66 winner over the Dustdevils.
Rex loved sports and will be buried wearing a Texas Rangers' jersey. To honor his life and the way he lived it, the family encourages those who attend Friday's memorial service to feel comfortable wearing the jersey/shirt or other attire of their favorite team – Little League, high school, college or professional – or wear a P4X shirt. Traditional attire also is appropriate and welcome.
His body will be available for viewing only from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at Hamil Family Funeral Home (6449 Buffalo Gap Rd.). The family will receive visitors from 5-7 p.m. Thursday at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church (701 S. Pioneer Drive). On Friday, a public graveside service will be 9:30 a.m. at Elmwood Memorial Park (5750 Hwy. 277 South), followed by a memorial service to celebrate Rex's life at 10:30 a.m. at Pioneer Drive Baptist Church. The services will be under the direction of Hamil Family Funeral Home and will be led by pastor Stan Allcorn and Dr. Jeff Reid.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the Rex Fleming Endowed Scholarship, Abilene Christian University, ACU Box 29132, Abilene, Texas 79699-9132, or the Pioneer Drive Baptist Church Children's Ministry, 701 S. Pioneer Drive, Abilene, Texas 79605.
Information from ACU Today was used in this release.
