James Edward Fields, 82 (9/18/1937-1/01/2020) died in his home in Emmaus, PA with his
caregiver and life partner, Christine Viola at his side.
Jim was predeceased by his brother, John (Marvin) and his sister, Mary. Jim was born in Kodak, KY. He was the oldest child of Henry Fields and Lilly Stidham Fields.
At a young age, Jim left home and moved to Detroit, where he lived with his aunt. When his family left the mountains of Kentucky to start over in Ypsilanti, MI, Jim rejoined them. While in Ypsilanti, he worked various jobs, discovering a talent and passion for cooking. He then moved around the country and attended culinary school in Portland, Oregon.
He returned to Ypsilanti and felt compelled to enlist in the Army. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, serving his country for four years during the Vietnam War. After leaving the Army, he returned to Michigan and started his career in the restaurant business. He was the Executive Chef at The Lord Fox in Ann Arbor, managing that restaurant and two others. After many years at The Lord Fox, he moved to Philadelphia where he continued working part time in various restaurants.
Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time outdoors, quietly waiting for a glimpse of a deer, wild turkey, or bear. He could mimic bird calls and the birds would call back to him! He also loved country music and played the guitar.
Most of all, he valued his sobriety and his membership in AA for the past ten years. His home group in Bowmanstown, PA celebrated each anniversary and will memorialize him this year.
Service will be held at Steelmantown Natural Burial Preserve, 101 Steelmantown Rd., Woodbine, NJ, at noon on Monday, 1/06/2020, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, Jim requested that donations be made to AA or to a food pantry of your choice. In keeping with A.A.’s Seventh Tradition of self-support, contributions are accepted only from A.A. members. Anyone wishing to make a donation to AA can send it to Christine and she will ensure that the money is given to Jim’s home group in Bowmanstown, PA.
Jim was predeceased by his brother, John (Marvin) and his sister, Mary. Jim was born in Kodak, KY. He was the oldest child of Henry Fields and Lilly Stidham Fields.
At a young age, Jim left home and moved to Detroit, where he lived with his aunt. When his family left the mountains of Kentucky to start over in Ypsilanti, MI, Jim rejoined them. While in Ypsilanti, he worked various jobs, discovering a talent and passion for cooking. He then moved around the country and attended culinary school in Portland, Oregon.
He returned to Ypsilanti and felt compelled to enlist in the Army. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, serving his country for four years during the Vietnam War. After leaving the Army, he returned to Michigan and started his career in the restaurant business. He was the Executive Chef at The Lord Fox in Ann Arbor, managing that restaurant and two others. After many years at The Lord Fox, he moved to Philadelphia where he continued working part time in various restaurants.
Jim was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved spending time outdoors, quietly waiting for a glimpse of a deer, wild turkey, or bear. He could mimic bird calls and the birds would call back to him! He also loved country music and played the guitar.
Most of all, he valued his sobriety and his membership in AA for the past ten years. His home group in Bowmanstown, PA celebrated each anniversary and will memorialize him this year.
Service will be held at Steelmantown Natural Burial Preserve, 101 Steelmantown Rd., Woodbine, NJ, at noon on Monday, 1/06/2020, with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, Jim requested that donations be made to AA or to a food pantry of your choice. In keeping with A.A.’s Seventh Tradition of self-support, contributions are accepted only from A.A. members. Anyone wishing to make a donation to AA can send it to Christine and she will ensure that the money is given to Jim’s home group in Bowmanstown, PA.
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