James Usaf, Sr.

James Eugene Fields, Sr. was born on November 25, 1935, in New Bedford, Massachusetts to his parents, Joseph Fields and Dorothy Williams Fields. He was the second of five children born in the family. He was raised surrounded by his brothers, Joseph, Robert and his sisters, Doris and Shirley. He received his formal education in New Bedford, MA where he graduated from the New Bedford Vocational School. While in high school, he was very athletic and enjoyed being competitive. He furthered his education by attending the Denver Community College in Denver, Colorado, earning an Associate's Degree. On March 3, 1958, James enlisted in the United States Air Force. While serving his country, he was stationed at several bases in the United States and overseas including Korea and Japan. He earned many awards and citations for meritorious service. He served with honor and distinction and retired after serving his country for over twenty two years, at the rank of MSgt. (E7). In 1983, James united in holy matrimony to Clara M. Smith in Denver, Colorado. He was the proud father of six sons, Ronald, James, Jr., Michael, Shawn, Kyle, Troy and two daughters, Elizabeth and LaVonda. The family shared many happy and precious moments together. He was later blessed with seventeen grandchildren and nine great grandchildren who were an additional source of joy and pride in his life. By profession, James was employed as a Precision Measurement Equipment Engineer. He was a civilian contractor for the government. He was hardworking, dedicated and performed his duties with a spirit of excellence. In his free time, he enjoyed photography and watching westerns. For anyone who knew James, knew he was generous and didn't mind lending a helping hand to his family and friends. He often did so if it meant, he had to do without himself. He was a shy person and those who knew him would find that out if anyone tried to give him a hug but when pressured, he would give you his shy smile and try a little harder. James will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known this one of a kind guy. To know James was to love him. He was preceded in death by two sons, Ronald and James, Jr., his parents, Joseph and Dorothy Fields and a brother, Joseph Fields, Jr. James Eugene Fields, Sr. departed this life on July 19, 2014, in his home in Aurora, Colorado. Those left to cherish his memory and mourn his loss include his former wife, Clara M. Smith, Denver; four sons, Michael (Susan) Fields, Hyannis Port, MA, Shawn A. Smith, Denver, Kyle A. (Tina) Smith, Aurora, Troy A. Fields, College Park, GA; two daughters, Elizabeth (Clay) Woods, Sacramento, CA and LaVonda (Reginald) Knox, Euless, TX; one brother, Robert (Chong) Fields, San Diego, CA; two sisters, Doris (William) Green, Springfield, MA and Shirley (George) Suggs, Dale City, VA; seventeen grandchildren; nine great grandchildren and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins other relatives and many friends.

Funeral Home: Pipkin Braswell Funerals and Cremations - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Visitation: 7/24/2014 at 9:00 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Service: 7/24/2014 at 11:30 AM - Pipkin Braswell Chapel of Peace - 6601 East Colfax Avenue, Denver, CO
Cemetery: 7/25/2014 - Fort Logan National Cemetery - 4400 West Kenyon Avenue, Denver, CO