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==Background==

==Background==

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Fletcher was born at E.A. Conway Medical Center in Monroe to Dewey Fletcher, Sr. (1943-2004),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Fletcher&GSfn=Dewey&GSmn=Lee&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=46403438&df=all&|title=Dewey Lee Fletcher, Sr.|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=June 10, 2017}}</ref> and the former Patricia Gaye Brown (born August 1944), later Patricia Irby, of Monroe. He was reared at the 9B Ranch, a [[horse]] ranch and a [[cotton]] farm, in Oak Grove in [[rural]] West Carroll Parish in northeast Louisiana by his maternal grandparents, Dayton C. Brown (1913–1994)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=ssdi.rootsweb.com|accessdate=October 3, 2009}}</ref> and Pat Brown, who at the time of her grandson's death resided in West Monroe. Fletcher had ad two sisters, Nicki Hall of Tyler,  [[Texas]], and Ashley Simmons-Jones of West Monroe. He was a cousin]of Louisiana 4th Judicial District Judge Wendell Manning of Monroe.​

Fletcher was born at E.A. Conway Medical Center in Monroe to Dewey Fletcher, Sr. (1943-2004),<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=Fletcher&GSfn=Dewey&GSmn=Lee&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=46403438&df=all&|title=Dewey Lee Fletcher, Sr.|publisher=Findagrave.com|accessdate=June 10, 2017}}</ref> and the former Patricia Gaye Brown (born August 1944), later Patricia Irby, of Monroe. He was reared at the 9B Ranch, a [[horse]] ranch and a [[cotton]] farm, in Oak Grove in [[rural]] West Carroll Parish in northeast Louisiana by his maternal grandparents, Dayton C. Brown (1913–1994)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=ssdi.rootsweb.com|accessdate=October 3, 2009}}</ref> and Pat Brown, who at the time of her grandson's death resided in West Monroe. Fletcher had ad two sisters, Nicki Hall of Tyler,  [[Texas]], and Ashley Simmons-Jones of West Monroe. He was a cousinof Louisiana 4th Judicial District Judge Wendell Manning of Monroe.​

 

In 1984, Fletcher graduated from Oak Grove High School. In August 1989, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education from [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] A member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, he was the Louisiana Tech student body president in 1988 and a devotee of Louisiana Tech athletics.<ref name=obit>Obituary of Dewey Lee Fletcher, Jr., ''The Monroe News-Star,'' Retrieved October 3, 2009.</ref>  Eleven years later, he obtained a [[Master of Business Administration]] degree from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]].​

In 1984, Fletcher graduated from Oak Grove High School. In August 1989, he received his Bachelor of Science degree in agricultural education from [[Louisiana Tech University]] in [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]] A member of the Sigma Nu fraternity, he was the Louisiana Tech student body president in 1988 and a devotee of Louisiana Tech athletics.<ref name=obit>Obituary of Dewey Lee Fletcher, Jr., ''The Monroe News-Star,'' Retrieved October 3, 2009.</ref>  Eleven years later, he obtained a [[Master of Business Administration]] degree from [[Louisiana State University]] in [[Baton Rouge]].​

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==Political activities==​

==Political activities==​

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As a youth, Fletcher campaigned for the election of [[Ronald W. Reagan]] for [[U.S. President]]. He worked in the [[George Herbert Walker Bush]] administration and in the [[United States Department of Agriculture]]. He was a graduate and former faculty member of the [[Republican National Committee]] Campaign Management College and its Leadership Institute Campaign School in Arlington, [[Virginia]].<ref name=obit/>​

As a youth, Fletcher campaigned for the election of [[Ronald W. Reagan]] for [[U.S. President]]. He worked in the [[George Herbert Walker Bush]] administration and in the [[United States Department of Agriculture]]. He was a graduate and former faculty member of the [[Republican National Committee]] Campaign Management College and its Leadership Institute Campaign School in Arlington, [[Virginia]].<ref name=obit/>

 

In 1996 and 1997, Fletcher was the campaign manager and then the chief of staff for U.S. Representative John Cooksey of Monroe, who limited himself to three terms. Cooksey edged out the comeback attempt of former U.S. Representative Clyde Cecil Holloway of Forest Hill in south Rapides Parish, the last person to represent the since defunct 8th congressional district. Cooksey defeated in the runoff electio], technically the [[general election]] in Louisiana the Democrat state legislator Francis Coleman Thompson of Delhi in Richland Parish.<ref name=obit/>​

In 1996 and 1997, Fletcher was the campaign manager and then the chief of staff for U.S. Representative John Cooksey of Monroe, who limited himself to three terms. Cooksey edged out the comeback attempt of former U.S. Representative Clyde Cecil Holloway of Forest Hill in south Rapides Parish, the last person to represent the since defunct 8th congressional district. Cooksey defeated in the runoff election, technically the [[general election]] in Louisiana the Democrat state legislator Francis Coleman Thompson of Delhi in Richland Parish.<ref name=obit/>​

 

It was in the 2002 race to succeed Cooksey, who ran unsuccessfully that year for the [[United States Senate]], that Fletcher lost to Rodney Alexander. Fletcher first edged out Clyde Holloway for the general election berth against Alexander. Also in the running was another major Republican candidate, then state Senator Robert J. Barham of Oak Ridge in Morehouse Parish.​ Alexander led in the primary with 52,952 votes (29 percent). Fletcher followed with 45,278 (25 percent). Holloway polled 42,573 votes (23 percent), and Barham received 34,533 votes (19 percent). Three others divided the remaining but potentially crucial 5 percent of the primary ballots.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, General election returns, November 5, 2002.</ref>​

It was in the 2002 race to succeed Cooksey, who ran unsuccessfully that year for the [[United States Senate]], that Fletcher lost to Rodney Alexander. Fletcher first edged out Clyde Holloway for the general election berth against Alexander. Also in the running was another major Republican candidate, then state Senator Robert J. Barham of Oak Ridge in Morehouse Parish.​ Alexander led in the primary with 52,952 votes (29 percent). Fletcher followed with 45,278 (25 percent). Holloway polled 42,573 votes (23 percent), and Barham received 34,533 votes (19 percent). Three others divided the remaining but potentially crucial 5 percent of the primary ballots.<ref>Louisiana Secretary of State, General election returns, November 5, 2002.</ref>​

 

Holloway hence fell 2,705 votes short of entering the second round of balloting with Alexander. Though he was a longtime Republican who later in life was a member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Holloway endorsed the then Democrat Alexander ovethe more [[conservative]] Fletcher. Holloway's aberration was a reaction to the hard campaigning waged against him by Fletcher in the primary. Critics claim that Holloway was furious over negative, anonymous automated telephone calls. Not only did Holloway refuse to endorse fellow Republican Fletcher, but numerous Republican groups in the 5th congressional district also backed the then-Democrat Alexander in the general election. The final outcome seemed to indicate that Holloway's endorsement and the support of such Republican activist groups contributed considerably to Alexander's narrow victory.<ref>Undated 2002 article from ''The Alexandria Daily Town Talk.''</ref> In 2004, Congressman Alexander switched to Republican affiliation with widespread support from district Republican leaders. That year, he handily defeated fellow Republican John Wyeth "Jock" Scott of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] in the nonpartisan blanket primary.​

Holloway hence fell 2,705 votes short of entering the second round of balloting with Alexander. Though he was a longtime Republican who later in life was a member of the Louisiana Public Service Commission, Holloway endorsed the then Democrat Alexander ovethe more [[conservative]] Fletcher. Holloway's aberration was a reaction to the hard campaigning waged against him by Fletcher in the primary. Critics claim that Holloway was furious over negative, anonymous automated telephone calls. Not only did Holloway refuse to endorse fellow Republican Fletcher, but numerous Republican groups in the 5th congressional district also backed the then-Democrat Alexander in the general election. The final outcome seemed to indicate that Holloway's endorsement and the support of such Republican activist groups contributed considerably to Alexander's narrow victory.<ref>Undated 2002 article from ''The Alexandria Daily Town Talk.''</ref> In 2004, Congressman Alexander switched to Republican affiliation with widespread support from district Republican leaders. That year, he handily defeated fellow Republican John Wyeth "Jock" Scott of [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]] in the nonpartisan blanket primary.​

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In 2006, Alexander supported the appointment of Holloway to a high position in the [[United States Department of Agriculture]]. The selection required the approval of President [[George W. Bush]], who had supported Fletcher in the general election against Alexander. In a 2003 interview with James Harvey "Jim" Brown, the former Louisiana state senator, secretary of state, and insurance commissioner, Fletcher said that he did not have "a problem" with Holloway despite the disappointment to both in the 2002 congressional race.<ref>Jim Brown interview with Lee Fletcher, Politicsla.com, January 14, 2003.</ref>​

In 2006, Alexander supported the appointment of Holloway to a high position in the [[United States Department of Agriculture]]. The selection required the approval of President [[George W. Bush]], who had supported Fletcher in the general election against Alexander. In a 2003 interview with James Harvey "Jim" Brown, the former Louisiana state senator, secretary of state, and insurance commissioner, Fletcher said that he did not have "a problem" with Holloway despite the disappointment to both in the 2002 congressional race.<ref>Jim Brown interview with Lee Fletcher, Politicsla.com, January 14, 2003.</ref>​

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In 2007, Fletcher urged voters in the 32nd State Senate District to elect Neil Riser, the Republican businessman from Columbia, who defeated a Democrat for the seat vacated by term-limited incumbent Noble Ellington of Winnsboro in Franklin Parish. Riser beat the Democrat former State Representative Bryant Hammett of Ferriday in Concordia Parish]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lanewslink.com/print.php?article=2740|title=Endorsement: Neil Riser Is Heads And Shoulders Better Than Bryant Hammett|publisher=lanewslink.com|accessdate=October 3, 2009}}</ref> and vacates the seat in 2020.​

In 2007, Fletcher urged voters in the 32nd State Senate District to elect Neil Riser, the Republican businessman from Columbia, who defeated a Democrat for the seat vacated by term-limited incumbent Noble Ellington of Winnsboro in Franklin Parish. Riser beat the Democrat former State Representative Bryant Hammett of Ferriday in Concordia Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lanewslink.com/print.php?article=2740|title=Endorsement: Neil Riser Is Heads And Shoulders Better Than Bryant Hammett|publisher=lanewslink.com|accessdate=October 3, 2009}}</ref> and vacates the seat in 2020.​

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In 2007, Fletcher devoted himself to electing more Republicans to office and served as the northeast Louisiana consultant for the successful gubernatorial candidate, [[Bobby Jindal]].<ref name=obit/> Fletcher's firm worked in eight campaigns and was successful in seven. The one loss occurred when the Fletcher-backed candidate advanced to the general election but then withdrew. Though self-described as a "Ronald Reagan Republican," Fletcher was a consultant for the Democratic [[African American]] [[mayor]] of Monroe, Jamie Mayo, in the latter's re-election campaign in February 2008. Mayo told a friend that his hiring of Fletcher "made the difference between winning and losing."<ref name=obit/>​

In 2007, Fletcher devoted himself to electing more Republicans to office and served as the northeast Louisiana consultant for the successful gubernatorial candidate, [[Bobby Jindal]].<ref name=obit/> Fletcher's firm worked in eight campaigns and was successful in seven. The one loss occurred when the Fletcher-backed candidate advanced to the general election but then withdrew. Though self-described as a "Ronald Reagan Republican," Fletcher was a consultant for the Democratic [[African American]] [[mayor]] of Monroe, Jamie Mayo, in the latter's re-election campaign in February 2008. Mayo told a friend that his hiring of Fletcher "made the difference between winning and losing."<ref name=obit/>​

 

In 2008, Fletcher developed and launched an all new talk FM format station named KBYO-FM or 92.7 Fox FM and hosted his own daily show, ''Townhall Show'', on this regional talk station.<ref>TownHallShow.com, December 31, 2008, no longer on-line.</ref> He had also ubstituted at times for [[Moon Griffon]].<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]]'', radio talk show program then based in Monroe, Louisiana, October 1, 2009.</ref>​

​In 2008, Fletcher developed and launched an all new talk FM format station named KBYO-FM or 92.7 Fox FM and hosted his own daily show, ''Townhall Show'', on this regional talk station.<ref>TownHallShow.com, December 31, 2008, no longer on-line.</ref> He had also substituted at times for [[Moon Griffon]].<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]]'', radio talk show program then based in Monroe, Louisiana, October 1, 2009.</ref>​

 

==Last days==​

==Last days==

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In February 2009, less than two months into his tenure as Representative John Fleming's chief of staff, Fletcher was stricken with [[cancer]]. He underwent treatment in Ruston and Monroe as well as the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]]. A sarcoma in his back metastasized.<ref>T. Scott Boatright, "Fletcher dies at age 43," ''Ruston Daily Leader,'' [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], Louisiana, October 1, 2009.</ref> He died at the age of forty-three at St. Francis Hospital in Monroe, with his grandmother at his side.<ref name=obit/>​

In February 2009, less than two months into his tenure as Representative John Fleming's chief of staff, Fletcher was stricken with [[cancer]]. He underwent treatment in Ruston and Monroe as well as the University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]]. A sarcoma in his back metastasized.<ref>T. Scott Boatright, "Fletcher dies at age 43," ''Ruston Daily Leader,'' [[Ruston, Louisiana|Ruston]], Louisiana, October 1, 2009.</ref> He died at the age of forty-three at St. Francis Hospital in Monroe, with his grandmother at his side.<ref name=obit/>​