John Ray Fields

John Ray Fields began his journey in life on October 23, 1940 in Hulbert, OK, the son of William J. and Lennis Grace (Parks) Fields. A small-town country boy, he was raised to love the outdoors and run the prairies and mountains of wherever he called home. At only 17 years old, he joined the United States Navy on April 25, 1958 in San Francisco, CA. He was a true All-American and could be found sporting an Eagle or American Flag. He knew his freedoms and didn’t let anyone impede on them. After his time in the military, he worked at his uncle’s radiator shop in San Jose, CA, eventually joining the International Association of Machinists Union out of Oakland, CA. He worked as a mechanic and line-press operator for 27 years at CT Supply, Tri-Valley Growers and Crown Cork and Seal in Fremont, CA. He retired at 62 years old when the company closed its doors. Then continued to work for his extended family the Selesias over at Vic’s Towing in Sonora. One thing was for sure, John Ray valued hard work and took pride in everything his hands touched. He was the most resourceful person around and knew how to make the best out of what he had. No matter what, family was first and he would stop what he was doing, drive across multiple states without any sleep, just to lend a helping hand when someone was in need. His family would set around and hear the many adventures of John Ray. He loved to tell stories of the old days and had a way of bringing any story to life….especially his times back in Oklahoma roaming the prairies and creek beds with his cousin Jimmie Dale and uncle Norman. He was a natural at everything, showing off on motorcycles, riding wheelies and peddling the bicycle backwards. He loved to prove to everyone he could do anything. Fishing was his favorite pastime. From night fishing with his kids on New Melones Reservoir, fishing the San Francisco bay and delta with his best friend Henry Ruiz, to fishing the stock ponds outside of Bartlesville with Jimmie Dale, John Ray was born to fish. Every year, John Ray would head home to Oklahoma and meet up with Jimmie Dale. Feeding the hounds and getting privileged access to the fishing ponds were a treat, but more importantly, an opportunity to spend time with the people he loved. Even when he couldn’t hold his pole anymore, he’d ask his veteran buddy Wayne from the VA to help him bait his hook and catch catfish at the pond in Claremore. If there was anything John loved more than fishing, it was Jimmie’s famous fish fry and spending time with his family. A close second would be Henry’s Menudo on NFL game day. If he wasn’t fishing, you could find John at the casino. He and Henry would rub the screens for good luck, thinking somehow that would help grow their winnings. He had a joy for life and nature, and especially music. From a long family line of singers, John was a natural. You could count on a random country song to break the silence on a long car ride. He took road trips from California to Oklahoma on his motorcycle and loved to admire the beauty of this country. According to John Ray, he “was born 100 years too late”, longing for a time long forgotten and he reckoned to be in the likes of Huck Finn, full of adventure on an earth that knew no boundaries. He was a huge fan old western movies. If there wasn’t any football on TV, you could bet that there would be an old western playing. During his time at the Claremore Veteran Center, he enjoyed some healthy competition among his veteran friends, Wayne and Jim, racing their RC boats. This hard working man was called from this earth on Tuesday, February 13, 2024 at the age of 83 years old. John Ray had a heart of gold and will always be remembered by those who knew and loved him.

He is preceded in death by his parents, one son-in-law, Darren Palmer, one brother, Bobby Gene Fields and two sisters, Billie Ruth Fields and Linda Gail (Fields) Watson.

Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Jimmy Fields and wife Shannon of Railroad Flat, CA and two daughters, Kimberly Palmer of Joshua, TX and Joni Kay of Indiana. His legacy lives on through his eight grandchildren, Ashley Stephenson, Andrew Palmer, Amber Hudson, Sera Fields, Kaitlyn O’Brien, Gage Forrest, Shelby Fields, and James Fields, eight great-grandchildren, Ainsely Stephenson, Silas Stephenson, Logan Stephenson, Isabella Hudson, Isaiah Hudson, Iyla Hudson, Willow Maeve Livingston and Maple Lee Fields, as well as many nieces, nephews and a host of friends and loved ones.