James Stuart Fleming III – “Jim” – of Cary, NC, valued kindness, compassion, gratitude, facts, truth, curiosity, and openness. He loved challenging himself logically, physically, and mentally. Almost a year after being diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme brain cancer, Jim passed away in the early morning of March 28, 2023 surrounded by his family.

Born on Halloween 1962, Jim grew up in Manlius, NY. He enjoyed skiing during the snowy winters and playing outside with his sister, friends, and the family dog. A graduate of Fayetteville-Manlius High School and Northwestern University, he moved to California in the early days of the Silicon Valley. As a software engineer, a highlight was working at cc:Mail, one of the first email companies. After relocating to North Carolina in 1997, he soon left corporate IT to create Saffron Technology, a cognitive computing start-up with a friend. They sold the company, and in 2018 Jim retired early to focus more of his time on family. He was also able to follow his life-long passion for healthy living by earning a certification as a personal trainer. He was particularly proud of “Jim’s Gym”, his pandemic-mandated home fitness center. Jim was in top physical condition, practiced regular meditation, and studied healthy lifestyle habits and nutrition. He created a website (4rocks4life.com) to describe his philosophy and path for wellness. Jim really wanted us to be able to live our best lives possible. 

Jim enjoyed traveling, especially to annual Fleming family reunions in Ocean City, NJ. He loved wake surfing at Lake Gaston, Indian food, and playing pickleball. He took great pride in watching his kids mature into thoughtful, caring, and talented teenagers. He urged them to find paths that would bring them joy. 

Jim is survived by his wife, Miya; his children, Colin and Skylar; his parents, Stuart and Marilyn Fleming; his sister and brother-in-law, Lois & David Kulas; his parents-in-law, Henry and Michiko Matsuura; his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Greg Matsuura and Shari Metcalfe; his nephews and nieces, Kyle (Allie and Henry), Allison (Branden), Tyler and Ian; close friends Dave, Michel, Ian and Jackson Miller; and many other family members and friends who loved him dearly. He is also survived by his two dogs, who were often found cuddled up by his side.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Jim’s honor to the Robert Tisch Brain Tumor Center at Duke University Hospital, Kiva.org, or WUNC Radio.