Don & Cheri Fleming – A life of Friendship, Generosity and Community

Santa Clarita has lost one of its most beloved community leaders and, for so many of us, a very dear friend. Don Fleming passed away September 8 at the age of 84, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of generosity, leadership, friendship and love for the community he called home.
For Moe and me, Don was much more than a respected businessman and philanthropist. He and Cheri were our personal friends for many years, and we were fortunate to share so many wonderful memories with them. Don had a way of making people feel welcome. He was warm, funny, engaging and genuinely interested in the people around him. His friendships were real, and his loyalty to those he cared about was something you never questioned.
Don and Cheri arrived in the Santa Clarita Valley in 1997 when they purchased Valencia Acura. They took what was then a struggling dealership and transformed it into a highly successful business built around something that became synonymous with the Fleming name: friendship. Their commitment to their customers, employees and community helped make Valencia Acura a local institution.
But business was only one part of Don’s story.
For decades, Don gave his time, energy and resources to organizations throughout
the Santa Clarita Valley. He served in leadership roles with the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital Foundation, Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce, Boys & Girls Club Foundation and Santa Clarita Valley Economic Development Corporation, among many others. He was also a longtime supporter of College of the Canyons and numerous local charitable causes.
Together, Don and Cheri were named Santa Clarita Valley Man and Woman of the Year in 2004, a rare honor they shared as husband and wife. In 2019, they received the College of the Canyons Silver Spur Award for their extraordinary commitment to the community. Their philanthropy was never simply about writing a check.
They showed up. They volunteered, served on boards, attended events, raised money and, most importantly, built relationships.
Those who knew Don will remember the stories, the laughter, his wonderful sense of humor and that unmistakable personality that could fill a room. But perhaps his greatest gift was his ability to connect with people. He understood that a strong community isn’t built only through organizations and businesses, it is built through relationships, kindness and people willing to give something back. and then there is Cheri…
It is impossible to tell Don’s story without remembering the woman who shared so much of his life. Cheri was his partner in business, philanthropy and life. Their commitment to one another and to Santa Clarita was evident everywhere they went.
Cheri passed away in 2020, and Don carried her memory with him ever since.
Perhaps there is comfort in imagining that after all these years, Don and Cheri are together again, talking about their day, laughing, and making plans for whatever comes next.
Santa Clarita was better because Don and Cheri were here. They helped build businesses, strengthen organizations, support countless causes and, most importantly, touch the lives of people throughout our community.
For those of us who were lucky enough to call Don a friend, we will miss his smile, his humor, his generosity and his friendship. His legacy lives on through his family, Valencia Acura, the organizations he supported and the countless people whose lives he made a little better.
Rest peacefully, Don. Please say hi to Cheri for us. – Linda & Moe

My dad believed friendship was something you lived every day. You could see it in the way he cared for our team, welcomed customers and made time for people throughout Santa Clarita.
That same spirit guided his community service.
He gave his time and energy because he cared about our community and wanted to make a difference.
I learned so much from watching him, and carrying that spirit forward is one of the most meaningful ways we can honor him.”
– BRIAN FLEMING

Don and Cheri were so kind and welcoming when my family first arrived in Santa Clarita.
Individually and together, they seemed never to say no when someone needed help. They readily gave their time, used their influence to bring people together and supported community causes with sincerity and genuine concern for others. Don led by example, always willing to serve wherever he was needed.”
ED MASTERSON,
2026 SANTA CLARITA VALLEY MAN OF THE YEAR

Celebration of Life DON FLEMING
Monday, November 9, 2026 @ 1 p.m.
Crossroads Community Church
25300 Rye Canyon Road, Valencia

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