Michael Charles Fields' Obituary
MICHAEL CHARLES FIELDS, beloved soul mate, dad, and pepaw gained his Heavenly wings on July 17th, 2023.
Mike was born November 10, 1947 in Vallejo, California to parents MC and Hazel Fields. Shortly after, his father returned alone to his hometown Ravia, Oklahoma. Mike and his two beautiful sisters, Patricia and Priscilla Fields were placed in BAPTIST Children's Home in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Mike has special memories of Mr. Browning, his father figure and director of the Home. Mike gives credit to Mr. Browning for helping him in these difficult years of being shuttled between the Home and his father, MC. Fields. When Mike turned 16 he permanently left this turbulent lifestyle and began the process of learning to take care of himself. No longer in school and working odd jobs and living at the YMCA, Mike realized he did not have a good future. At 17, he enlisted in the US ARMY with his good friend. Jerry Greeson. In line to get on the bus to carry him to basic training and then to Vietnam. Mike was pulled for a second physical. Because of a defective left arm, Mike was told he would not be able to go. Jerry always said Mike was the reason he went to Vietnam and later became a head post office manager. Mike and Jerry stayed good friends until Jerry's passing in 2006.
Mike continued his life journey and enrolled in the Job Corp in 1967 and completed the program. During this time he co-wrote the guidelines for his group at Job Corp and proudly received his GED. After graduating. Mike moved to Lake Jackson, Texas and went to work for Dow Chemical. Mike found our Lord and Savior at a church service at Lake Jackson Baptist Church and decided to continue his education at East Texas Baptist College in Marshall. Texas. There he met his future wife, Rebecca Ann Ward and they were married July 8. 1971. Mike and Becky are the proud parents of 4 children. Wayne Levy. Michael Fields Jr. Misti Fields Newsom, and Megan Fields Murdick.
Mike worked many jobs from 1971 to 1975. He graduated from Texas A/M heavy equipment school and worked as a crane operator for Texas Sand and Gravel. He also worked at Padgett Toyota and Max Mahaffey Ford and won top honors as Best Car Salesman. Mike still wanted to serve his country and provide well for his family so he began writing his congressman in appeal to join the US ARMY. Because of many earnest letters, his appeal was finally granted and he proudly joined the US ARMY in 1976. Mike completed basic training in Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri and was promoted and became a jeep and truck driver for his division. Mike proudly served but again he was brought into the office to be told this would not be possible. After many telephone calls to his wife. Becky. Mike made the difficult decision to leave the US ARMY. He was granted an honorable discharge and his Captain spoke personally with him about his courage and his zealousness in striving to serve our beloved country. He laughingly told Mike,
"Many boys write letters to get out of the service, few men write letters to get in the service."
Mike and Becky traveled to Hereford, Texas where he again met the mother that had left when he was a baby and his sisters were 4 and 6. Mike found closure with his mother and moved to Amarillo, Texas in January of 1977 Mike began working at Sedesco Coal and Becky became an apartment manager. At West Oaks Apartments, Becky rented to many railroaders. Encouraged by new friends. Mike applied and was hired and became an employee of Burlington Northern Railroad in April of 1977. Mike loved the railroad and found great satisfaction as a clerk-operator and driver. Mike received affirmation in good reviews and safety awards. Mike was also credited with saving a teen runaway from freezing and helping the young man return to his family. Mike worked many depots including Amarillo, Claude, Texline, and Plainview. Texas. In his offtime, Mike coached helped or rooted for his children at school and sports and extra curricular activities. He and his wife Becky were members of Amarillo Bowling league and played cards with friends and family. In 1993 Mike accepted a position on a special team that traveled across BNSF territory and was home based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Because of Mike's difficult upbringing and attending many different schools, Mike was concerned for his youngest daughter. Megan. Mikey and Misti had already graduated and were attending college and starting adult lives. Misti had recently married Barney Newsom and Mikey was beginning a career in restaurant service. Megan was starting her sophomore year in high school but was willing to go but Mike did not want this to happen. He did not want her to start over at a new school. Making the difficult decision. Mike left for Ft.Wt. and Becky and Megan remained in Amarillo. For 32 months, Mike and Becky did weekend travel to see each other and Megan graduated from Randall High School in 1996. Megan has told her dad many times how grateful she was for his sacrifice and unselfishly allowing her this experience.
Because of an injury. Mike accepted railroad retirement disability and retired in 1998 from BNSF Railroad in Amarillo, Texas. Always loving to drive, Mike made many trips back to FtWt where his son. Mikey and his wife Layla resided. Mike loved helping with projects and together they built a large back yard patio where many hours of family time filled the evenings. Mike and his wife, Becky also traveled many miles watching grandchildren excel in sports and other school activities. Mike was always the Number 1 fan proclaiming to everyone "That's my grandchild." Graduations, weddings, and family vacations were part of these events and each was a celebration of life. Mike loved his family and loved to listen and just observe. Mike was an avid and enthusiastic Dallas Cowboys fan except for one special event and he was an Atlanta Falcons fan for one special day. Mike also enjoyed the Dallas Mavericks and the Texas Rangers.Mike is the proud pepaw of 11 grandchildren and was grateful for each blessing.
Mike suffered a stroke in March of 2018 and a severe stroke in April of 2019. Because of complications from diabetes he was no longer able to drive and visit family. But family came to him. He was so grateful for the visits and the love from his children and grandchildren. Mike never liked being alone and asked never again to have to go to a hospital , rehab facility or a nursing home. During his last five years, he received excellent nursing from Megan, his daughter and now a nurse with Assist Care. Megan also arranged through Assist Care to administer his wound care. His wound specialist was nurse practitioner ,
NP Emily and he looked forward to her visits each Friday. His family doctor Dr. Datral Brown came to the home to work with his medical needs and to approve health care. We will forever be grateful to all who took care of Mike medically and became his friends and especially the love and care given by his daughter, Megan Murdick. Mike passed from this Earth from his home and is now living with our Lord and loved ones who welcomed him with open arms.
Mike was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, his beloved mother n law, Annie Peck,who treated him like a son, and his treasured grandson, sweet and perfect Daegan Michael Fields.Mike is survived by his loving wife of 52 years, Becky, four adored children and spouses. Wayne and Rhonda Levy, Mikey and Layla Fields, Misti and Barney Newsom and Megan and Koty Murdick and 10 grandchildren. Britny Strcker and husband Charlie. Weston Levy and wife Chelsea, Seth Levy and wife Michaela, Garrett Newsom and wife Lexi Dakota Alford and husband Dylan, Maya Strawberry Fields, Ever Grace Fields, Dylan Murdick, Logan Murdick, and Addisan Murdick, and five great grandchildren, Charlie, Cooper, and Chloe Stricker, Timber and Wade Levy and 2 new miracles soon to be born and many beloved family members.
From an existence of being forgotten and left alone, Mike Fields leaves a legacy of love and a circle that continues to grow. Mike Fields will be missed by all who knew him. Our grandchildren always said "Pepaw has nine lives." His ninth life will forever continue in our Heavenly Home.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be given to St. Jude Medical Center in remembrance of his brother n law. Willie Ray Ward, and his beautiful family daughter n law, Tammy Ward Newsom and to SIDS Research in honor of his grandson, Daegan Michael Fields.
Per Mike's wishes there will be no funeral services. A celebration of life will be scheduled in his honor at a later time.
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