Perry Lee Fields

Obituary: Sgt. First Class Perry Lee Fields (Retired) died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, January 20, after several years declining health. He was born June 18, 1929 in Kannapolis to the late Henry and Stella Moser Fields. Perry attended Winecoff School where he was recognized for his athleticism. He was a fan favorite while playing American Legion baseball, and was signed by the Washington Senators. He married Frances Morris in 1947, and decided to join the armed forces to provide for his family and serve the country he loved. Perry was stationed in Ft. Belvoir, VA. where he trained and worked as a Medic. He was sent overseas for active duty in the Korean War where he worked as a Combat Medical Aidman for three years. Upon returning to Ft., Belvoir, Perry was sent to Chicago where he obtained the Military Occupational Specialty Education in Food Inspection. He and his wife spent the next three years stationed in Alaska. Perry spent leisure time hunting game, and became quite the huntsman. He donated one of his treasured caribou to the Bass Pro Shops for display. Perry returned to Washington, DC and continued to work the next six years as an Inspector and Senior Medical non-commissioned Officer. He left for Viet Nam in May of 1968 where he worked as a Medical Advisor with the MTCV Team 94. Perry witnessed firsthand, the horrors of war in the POW camps and combat zones. After faithfully serving his country for twenty-two years, Perry retired from the army in ceremonies at Ft. Belvoir. During his military career, Field's bravery and outstanding service earned the Bronze Star, the third presentation of the Army Commendation Medal, the Combat Medical Badge, seven presentations of the Good Conduct Medal, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and two National Defense Service Medals. A true dedicated patriot, Perry worked at the Veteran's Hospital in Salisbury after returning home from active duty. He was known for his compassion and willingness to help veterans, the people in his community, and church. He and Frances lived in Faith, NC. The couple moved to the coast when they both officially retired from work, but returned to Concord in later years to be closer to family. Perry is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers J.W. Fields and Dee Fields; a sister, Grace Wise, and Grady Fields who died as an infant. In addition to his loving wife, Frances, Perry is survived by two sisters in-law, Barbara Fields and Billie Jordan, along with a number of nieces and nephews. A celebration of Perry's life will be held at 2:00 PM Friday, January 23 at Whitley's Funeral Home chapel with Dr. Darryl Maxwell officiating. Burial will follow at Carolina Memorial Park with Military Honors. The family will receive friends at Whitley's Funeral Home from 6:00 to 8:00 PM on Thursday, January 22. Online condolences may be left at www.whitleysfuneralhome.com. The family requests memorials be made to Grace Lower Stone Church, 2405 Lower Stone Church Road, Rockwell, NC 28138. Arrangements for Mr. Fields are entrusted to Whitley's Funeral Home in Kannapolis.
Visitation: 6:00 to 8:00 PM Thursday January 22, 2015 Whitley's Funeral Home

Service: 2:00 PM Friday January 23, 2015 Whitley's Funeral Home Chapel

Interment: Carolina Memorial Park Kannapolis, NC