James Paul Fields

James Paul Fields, husband of Betty Jean (Heath) Fields, of Delbarton, WV, passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2025, surrounded by family in his home. A beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend, he will be remembered as a man who loved his family, cherished time spent with those he loved and one who never missed an opportunity to make a friend.

James was born in a small house in a coal camp in Micco, WV on February 17, 1952, to George Fields (deceased) and Dora (Calloway) Fields (deceased).  He is preceded in death by his brothers John and Luther Fields and his sister Connie (Fields) Breedlove.

To his family, James was known as Pete.  “Pete” quickly learned of his passion for fixing things. He liked to tell stories of when he was a young boy, finding things lying around the yard that he could add to his wagon or bike to make it better.  If he didn’t have what he needed to complete a job, he would make it.  James further refined his knack for fixing things in welding and shop class.  He graduated from Gilbert High School in 1970 and then moved into coal mining, following in the footsteps of his father.  

James was proud to be a coal miner.  He loved to talk about times when mining was tough and times when things were going great.  He liked to describe the equipment, what it did and how to use it. He also liked to talk about the friendships that he made while mining.  Those were his most cherished memories.  James finished a long career of coal mining, putting in about 30 years of hard work to provide for his family.

James and Betty were high school sweethearts who married on December 19, 1970.  Betty was a senior in high school who had to learn how to balance the dual roles of a wife and a student.  Shortly after becoming married, James and Betty began creating their family.  First to come along was their son, James, followed a few years later by their daughter, Dawn.  James enjoyed taking his family on road trips where you could always be sure that there was a “knick-knack bag” as James termed it (a snack bag) that he would break open just a few miles into the trip.  As the kids got older, James and Betty continued to enjoy trips in the form of camping and spending time with their close friends.  

Speaking of friends, James had a lot.  James never knew a stranger.  It was not uncommon to find him sitting on a bench, standing by the fence, or sitting in a vehicle, talking with someone whom he had never met.  Striking up a conversation was one of his superpowers.  Within just a few minutes, James could make you feel like you had known him forever.  He was always well-known in the community.  James would never hesitate to help someone in need, even if it meant putting himself out.  James lived out Matthew 22:39: Love your neighbor as yourself.  

James is also well-known for his second career as the local “Ice Cream Man”.  Children throughout the community would anxiously await his truck to provide a delicious treat on a hot summer day.  Many who recollect those memories also remember that James never let a kid go without.  He commonly gave out ice cream, even if a kid came up short.  James spread love and kindness everywhere he went.

Finally, but surely not least, James had a close relationship with the Lord.  If you ever talked with him, for even just a few minutes, he would find a way to bring up a scripture or talk about how much the Lord had blessed him.  He loved to talk about the Bible and dig into the scriptures.  His Bible is filled with notes in the margin and underlined verses that spoke to him down through the years. James pursued the Lord with passion, providing his family with a lasting legacy and example to follow.  

James is survived by his wife, Betty Fields (Heath), children, James Fields Jr. of Kannapolis, NC and Kimberly Dawn (Darren) Cline of Versailles, KY.  He has three loving grandchildren, Morgan Cline (Versailles, KY), Bethany Cline (Versailles, KY) and Drew Fields (Kannapolis, NC).

The pallbearers are James Fields, Jr., Darren Cline, Drew Fields, Roger Cline, Roy Curry and Jonathan Younger. 

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 31, 2025, at Mounts Funeral Home at 12:00 PM to be followed by the funeral at 1:00 PM. Graveside services will be held at Forest Lawn Cemetery following the funeral.  Pastor Arville Cline will be officiating the services.

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