The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
DO-IT-YOURSELF MENTALITY
94-year-old keeps ticking away at projects, especially fixing clocks
Orville Fleming has dedicated his life to a long list of do-it-yourself projects.
Fleming, 94, of Amherst, who originally is from Kentucky, initially worked in a coal mine and sawmill in areas in Letcher County, Kentucky.
“I worked in the coal mine and helped run a saw,” he said. “I was 29 when I came here in 1954.
“It got to the point where there really wasn’t any more coal, so I came here and worked at U.S. Steel for 28 years and retired.”
Fleming moved to the area and built the house he lives in on Virginia Court.
“I have five houses that I built right here (5500 block of Virginia Court) that I both sold and kept,” he said. “I built the house I’m living in.”
He did it himself
Fleming said he has fixed many different clocks in his day.
“I have grandfather, cuckoo, tabletop clocks and wall clocks,” he said.
“I didn’t know how to fix clocks, but I just learned how to do it. I would find out what’s wrong with them and fix them up.” — Orville Fleming of Amherst
“I started fixing clocks to give to my family, and I kept doing it. I would start buying clocks at flea markets, not for work, but as a hobby.
“I didn’t know how to fix clocks, but I just learned how to do it. I would find out what’s wrong with them and fix them up. It could be a part that’s bent or a part that’s needed. I’ve given some away, and I’ve kept a lot of the ones I’ve been doing over the years.”
Fleming said it was a lot of trial and error with clock repairs.
“All the clocks had something wrong with them, and they’re all tough to fix,” he said. “They required special tools that I didn’t have, so I just tried different things until they worked.
“It’s a hobby for me that I’ve done mostly in the winter time.”
Fleming also devoted a lot of time working on his vehicles.
“I have a (1929) Ford Model A that I put some tires on and the exhaust manifold,” he said. “I also have a ’36 Plymouth Coupe I put a V6 Chevy engine in.
“I took the body off the chassis and I painted it. I took all the original paint off, and I cleaned up the inside. I also have a’ 40 Plymouth business coupe. I had that repainted and the engine’s been redone, so it now looks like a brand new engine. I also put in new seats.
“I also have a ’57 Chevy Bel Air hardtop that I put a crankshaft in. I repainted it. It has new fenders, a new bezel and everything on this car works.
“I also have a’ 38 Plymouth pickup truck that I put a new wooden bed in and a new leather headliner.”
Fleming said he has always preferred to do the job himself.
“I just want to stay busy all the time,” he said.
“I didn’t have carpentry or mechanic experience before I came here, but I laid blocks and built this house including the plumbing.
“I also have an in-ground pool out back that I put in myself.
“I’m pleased I had the knowledge to do a lot of things; I didn’t have to pay anybody.”