(From Peterson Funeral Chapel)Michael Grant (Mike) Fields, 82, of Billings, MO. passed away Saturday, January 31, 2026 in the Ash Grove Healthcare Facility, Ash Grove, MO. He was born on June 2, 1943 in Bentonville, AR. to Kenneth and Helen Fields of Jane MO.
Mike's parents were teachers at the Jane school system. In 1944 the family moved to Verona, MO where his dad had accepted the position of superintendent of schools and his mother, a high school English, Spanish and typing teacher.
At the time Mike was one year old. Mike grew up and spent his formative years in Verona and graduated from Verona High School in the spring of 1961.During the later part of Mike's senior year he joined the local Army National Guard unit in Aurora. As a new recruit, little did he know that he would rise through the ranks and graduate from officers candidate school in 1964, receiving his commission as a second lieutenant.
During Mike's military career he attended and graduated from various military training courses. They included army aviation flight training in airplanes and helicopters. He also received training and was certified by the U.S. Army as an Aviation Maintenance Officer, Maintenance Test Pilot, Instructor Pilot in airplanes and helicopters and a graduate of the Army Aviation Safety Officers Course. Mike was awarded and received his master Army Aviation Wings in 1980 for over fifteen years and 3000 hours of accident free flying. Mike was awarded and received various military award and decoration, including the Meritorious Service Medal for Valor for saving the lives of two individuals on two separate occasions while flying a UH-1 (Huey) helicopter. While assigned as a flight instructor at the Army Aviation Flight Activity in Warrensburg, MO., Mike received a new assignment from the Adjutant Generals Office in Jefferson City to establish and organize a new flight activity in Springfield, MO. In April of 1972, Mike established the new activity which is still in operation today.
In 1975 Mike graduated and received his Bachelor Arts degree by attending night school. Also during his military career he obtained his commercial pilots license in airplanes and helicopters from the Federal Aviation Administration. This enabled him to become a news helicopter pilot for KY-3 TV in Springfield, MO. after his retirement.
Mike was very proud of his Cherokee Indian Heritage. His maternal grandfather was full blooded Cherokee and his paternal grandfather one quarter Cherokee. Mike was also a direct descendant of Richard Fields "Chief" of the Texas Cherokees. In 1980 Mike was granted and received his certificate of degree of Indian Blood from the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington D.C. He was also awarded his Cherokee Nation Tribal membership from the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma in Tahlequah. He is a member of American Legion post 0443 in Everton, MO., Masonic Lodge number 379 in Billings, MO. Mike was a 32 degree Mason in the Scottish Rite in Joplin, MO. and a Shriner in Springfield, MO. Mike accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at the age of nine at the Verona, MO. Christian Church. He was later Baptized at the First Christian Church in Aurora, MO.
Mike is survived by a sister, Samantha Fields Hammons, AKA (Timi); a son, Eric Fields and wife, Nichole; 3 daughters, Shannon Raper and husband, Greg all of Ash Grove, MO., Betsy Jones and husband Curtis of Billings, MO. and Nancy Browning of Norwood, CO.; 9 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren who all called him Popeye. Mike loved his family very much. he was proud of each one of them.
In 1975 Mike graduated and received his Bachelor Arts degree by attending night school. Also during his military career he obtained his commercial pilots license in airplanes and helicopters from the Federal Aviation Administration. This enabled him to become a news helicopter pilot for KY-3 TV in Springfield, MO. after his retirement.
Mike was very proud of his Cherokee Indian Heritage. His maternal grandfather was full blooded Cherokee and his paternal grandfather one quarter Cherokee. Mike was also a direct descendant of Richard Fields "Chief" of the Texas Cherokees. In 1980 Mike was granted and received his certificate of degree of Indian Blood from the United States Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs in Washington D.C. He was also awarded his Cherokee Nation Tribal membership from the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma in Tahlequah. He is a member of American Legion post 0443 in Everton, MO., Masonic Lodge number 379 in Billings, MO. Mike was a 32 degree Mason in the Scottish Rite in Joplin, MO. and a Shriner in Springfield, MO. Mike accepted Jesus Christ as his personal savior at the age of nine at the Verona, MO. Christian Church. He was later Baptized at the First Christian Church in Aurora, MO.
Mike is survived by a sister, Samantha Fields Hammons, AKA (Timi); a son, Eric Fields and wife, Nichole; 3 daughters, Shannon Raper and husband, Greg all of Ash Grove, MO., Betsy Jones and husband Curtis of Billings, MO. and Nancy Browning of Norwood, CO.; 9 grandchildren, and 7 great-grandchildren who all called him Popeye. Mike loved his family very much. he was proud of each one of them.
He is preceded in death by his parents; and wife, Arlene.
Mike will be missed by his family, relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be held Friday, February 6 at 10:30 AM in the Peterson Funeral Chapel with Charlie Bohn officiating. Burial will follow at 1:00 PM in the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, MO. with full military honors. Visitation will be held Thursday from 6-8 PM in the funeral chapel.
Arrangements are under the care of Peterson Funeral Chapel.
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