Johnny Fields

Funeral services for Johnny Fields, 50, of Junction City will be 11 a.m., Saturday, August 9, 2008 at the Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church with Pastor Edwin Young officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday, August 8, 2008, 6-8 p.m. at Penwell-Gabel Mass-Hinitt Chapel, 805 Caroline Avenue. Mr. Fields passed away at his residence on July 30, 2008. Memorial contributions may be given to the family in c/o Penwell-Gabel Mass-Hinitt Chapel.

Mr. Fields was born November 7, 1957, Fort Leonardwood, MO to John W. and Gladys (Foster) Fields. He grew up as a military dependent and moved around a lot and came in contact with many cultures. His father retired from the military in 1969 where they settled in Junction City, KS. He graduated from Junction City High School in 1975. August of that year he joined the United States Marine Corps serving at Camp Pendleton, CA. Following the USMC he spent nine months at a Job Corps learning to weld from there he worked a variety of jobs around Junction City and worked his way up to an inspector in a machine shop. He worked 40 plus hours while earning his bachelors degree in 1985. He graduated from Kansas State University with a BS in Elementary Education in 1990.

He started his teaching career at the 4th grade level that year in Junction City. The next year he taught 5th grade before being recruited as the academic-turn-around instructor, working with at-risk students in the Middle School. He continued working at the Junction City Middle School for nine years teaching 6th and 7th grade.

In December of 2001 he finished his Master of Science in Educational Administration and Leadership Degree and earned his building certificate through Kansas State University. His first administration position was at Williams Magnet School as assistant principal. The next year he was promoted to principal at Quinton Heights Elementary School in Topeka. He later relocated to Junction City where he was offered a job at Jefferson Elementary at Fort Riley where he was a principal for two years. During his time at Jefferson Elementary, the school was awarded the Blue Ribbon award. He later transferred to the Larry Dixon Center as an administrator. He served that capacity until his illness. He was a lifelong learner and believed in learning communities. He served as an usher at the Faith Tabernacle Apostolic Church and he loved his pastor and church family. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing chess and computer games. He was a good husband and took great care of his wife and children

He and his wife Clara (Morton) Fields were married March 8, 1980, she survives of the home.

Other survivors include his mother Gladys of Memphis, TN, three sons; Elijah Fields and wife Shanelle of Junction City, KS, Quentin Fields of Manhattan, KS, Johnny Allen, Jr. of Atlanta, GA, one brother; Michael Fields of Overland Park, KS, three step-brothers; Gerald Fields, Milton Fields and John Fields, Jr. all of Michigan, three sisters; Judith Jones of Memphis, TN, Sylvia Anita Lytle and Maxine Coats of Lansing, KS, two step-sisters; Shirley Willis and Susan Fields both of Michigan, two grandchildren and a host of nephews and nieces.

He was preceded in death by his father, two sisters; Margie Fields and Adele Fields and one step-sister.

Johnny loved his entire family. He also had a great concern for all his school children where their education was his first priority.

Pallbearers will be Elijah Fields, Quentin Fields, Charlie Coats, Michael Fields, Curtis Self, Perry Martin, Charles Bibbs and Carlos Barnes

Honorary Pallbearers Gene Moore, Harry Concepcion, Larry Mooney, Kevin Floyd, Herbert Tillman, Joel Celestin, Ron Walker and Ricky Foster

Musician will be Jordan Young