Gregory Scott Fields of Plano, Texas passed away peacefully on March 24, 2024. His parents, brother and sister, and other family members and caregivers were with him. He was a loving and outgoing man who cherished life.
Greg was born on January 14, 1964 in Anderson, Indiana. He moved to Dayton, Ohio when he was just 5 months old and then to New Jersey at age 4. He then lived in Odessa, Texas briefly before moving to Marion, Indiana in 1970. In the sixth grade, he came to Texas where he spent the remainder of his life except for his college years at Anderson University in Indiana.
Greg was a bright child and a good student. He also loved sports and the great outdoors. He could swim a quarter mile at the age of 6! As a boy scout, he hiked the Appalachian Trail when he was just 11 years old. In Texas, he played basketball and baseball, and ran track. Greg was a real go-getter and started a lawn mowing business in high school which enabled him to buy a new car in cash. After graduating from JJ Pearce High School in 1981, he attended Anderson University where he enjoyed rappelling, hiking, biking and skiing. He even spent a month skiing in Austria for which he received college credit. While in Austria, he tried to purchase a pair of skis but the store did not accept credit cards. Being a likeable and trustworthy young man, the shop owner allowed Greg to take the skis with just a promise of payment when he returned to the States. Greg did pay for the skis.
While in college, Greg fell in love and proposed to Jennifer Price. They planned to marry after graduation and had asked Dr. Gene Getz to perform the ceremony.
After a family vacation in the summer of 1985, Greg returned to Anderson University to start his senior year in college. On August 22, 1985, Greg was accidentally electrocuted from faulty wiring in his off-campus housing unit. He spent the next 3 months in the hospital followed by 18 months at a rehab facility.
This marked the beginning of Greg’s second phase of life. He returned to his parent’s home in 1987 for 10 years and eventually lived in his own home beginning in 1996. Greg required 24/7 care and was nonverbal. He communicated with a twinkle in his eye and a smile.
Greg’s love for life has inspired others around him. He painted beautiful pictures in acrylics with assistance. He tried many new things including controlled horseback riding. He learned to chew and swallow again.
Greg was a well-loved member of his John 9:3 Sunday School Class at Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, Texas. For over 20 years, he was active in Joni and Friends, attending their 5-day camp every summer near Navasota, Texas. Only one day before his passing, the camp director’s daughter told her, “Mom, I want to go to camp and see MR GREG!”
Greg has fought hard for life over the past 39 years. He has been a blessing to his parents and family and to all who have known him. He reminds us that we are all God’s children, and that we are called to love one another. We will miss Greg, but he is now in a heavenly home with Jesus.
Greg has had wonderful caregivers over the years to care for him and love him well. Several have worked with him for over 25 years. These people include Sandra Mandujano, Marvel Hobbs, Vanessa Wortham, Connie Lemons, and Jany Portillo. More recently, Maria Artiga and Penelope Becker have cared for him as well.
Greg is survived by his parents, David and Sylvia Fields of Plano; his brother and sister-in-law, Mike and Karen Fields of Plano, and his sister and brother-in-law, Christie and Reagan Dixon of Dallas. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews: Madison Wright and her husband Jeff, Catherine Dixon, and Caroline Dixon; Dawson Fields, Harrison Fields and his fiancée Alexandria Ramsland, Luke Dixon of Nashville, Tennessee, and Joshua Dixon.
Greg was preceded in death by his beloved aunt Shirley Akins of College Station, Texas; his maternal grandparents, Ethel and Wilbert K Neiswonger of New Bethlehem, Pennsylvania; and his paternal grandparents, Emma and Simon Fields of Waynesville, Ohio.
Visitation will be on Thursday, April 4 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home, 7405 W Northwest Highway, Dallas, Texas 75225. The funeral service will be on Friday, April 5, at 2:00 p.m. at Sparkman Hillcrest Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Joni and Friends who provide hope and support to persons with disability, at www.joniandfriends.org/texas or Joni and Friends Texas, 2001 W Plano Parkway, Suite 2060, Plano, Texas 75075. Contributions may also be made to: Center for Church Renewal, who provide Bibles to prisoners and other people around the world in both the English and Spanish language, at www.bibleprinciples.org/donate or Center for Church Renewal, 241 Legacy Drive, Plano, Texas 75023.
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