Gary J. Fields

Gary J. Fields, 74, of Columbus, Ohio, departed from us on February 1, 2023, peacefully at Darby Glenn Nursing Home in Hillard, Ohio. A native of Washington, D.C., he was born on March 16, 1948, to Louis Fields and Bernice Hawkins (Rome). Gary earned his GED before enlisting in the United States Army in 1968 at 20 years old. He married his first wife in his twenties and had two sons, Gary Fields, Jr. (1967), and Steven Fields (1969).

Gary fought for our country, in the U.S. Army, during the Vietnam War from 1968-1974. Wounded in the war twice, he was awarded two Purple Heart medals for his heroic service and was honorably discharged. After his return to the states, he welcomed his first daughter Garian Joan Fields (Dickerson) and settled in Columbus Ohio, in 1974.

After divorcing his first wife, He met Sandra Lee Woodruff in 1981 and they were married on December 19, 1983, by Reverend Dr. Charles Booth of Mt. Olivet Baptist Church. From their marriage, they had daughter Stephanie Lynn in 1984. Gary and his family remained in Ohio. He pursued an Associate of Arts degree in Graphic Communications at Columbus Technical Institute (now known as Columbus State Community College), while working nights for the United States Postal Service as a Mail Handler. He graduated from Columbus Technical in 1983, then 10 years later retired from the Post Office.

An avid collector of trinkets, thrifting, storytelling, and all things “Army Camo,” Gary loved cooking and giving to others. If he was not “manning” the grill at a family reunion, preparing meals for homeless shelters, or picking up items from the food pantry for neighbors, Gary found joy in serving others, especially his family. In 1997, Gary gave his life to Christ and became a member of New Covenant Believers’ Church. The church provided an outlet for Gary to “flex” his cooking muscles. His “Signature Potato Salad” was always a hit at ministry events. For the church, Gary dreamt then built a meat smoker, named “Nelly Bell,” from scratch out of scraps and presented it to New Covenant as a gift to assist with community events. In 1999, Gary joined the Royal Ambassadors ministry as a male mentor. He would often brag that he fed close to one hundred boys through the program: referring to the ministry annual camping trip and local events. Once he and his wife became “empty nesters,” in 2004, Gary returned to the workforce cooking for Lutheran Social Services Faith Mission men’s shelters and the Ohio Rehabilitation Services Commission in 2010. He later joined his daughter, Stephanie, in ministry, feeding children between Sunday school services at New Covenant’s Joel’s Place Café in 2013. In 2015, Gary followed Sandra to their final church home, Bethel World Prayer Center in Pataskala, Ohio as she focused on her ministry calling in intercessory prayer. Unfortunately, his wife took sick in 2017 and he remained connected to their church. He cared for his wife up until her passing in July of 2022.

Gary will be missed by his children (Gary John Fields Jr., Garian Joan Dickerson, and Stephanie Lynn Fields), grandchildren (Gary Cooper, Nautica Cooper, and Damita Counts), nieces (Jennifer Fields, LuWanda Fields, and Tia Fields) and brother (William Fields) as well as cousins, great (great-great) nieces and great (great-great) nephews.

Gary was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Woodruff Fields of 38 years, his parents Louis Fields and Bernice Rome, his son Steven Fields, and sister, Desire Jefferson.

Family will receive friends, Friday March 10, 2023 at 12 Noon  and Celebration of Life Service will begin promptly at 1 PM in the chapel of Smoot Funeral Services 4019 E. Livingston Avenue Columbus, Ohio 43227. Mr. Fields last rights will take place with a Private Interment at Greenlawn Cemetery.

Please continue to pray for the Field's Family as they mourn their father, brother, uncle, and friend. 

Smoot Funeral Services is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Topic: Celebration of Life Honoring Mr. Gary Fields
Time: Mar 10, 2023 12:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)

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