In Loving Memory of Gordon Fields-There are people who quietly shape every room they walk into. People who don’t need a spotlight to make a difference, because their warmth, their faith, and their love do all the work for them. Gordon Fields was that kind of man. And now that he’s gone, the silence he’s left behind speaks louder than words ever could.
This tribute honors the life, legacy, and memory of Gordon Fields. Whether you’re a family member searching for funeral service details, a friend wanting to pay your respects, or someone who simply knew him and feels the weight of this loss, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know about the man, the memorial, and the ways you can show up for the people he loved most.
Who Was Gordon Fields
A Life Rooted in Faith, Family, and Hard Work
Gordon Fields wasn’t just a name on a page. He was a devoted husband, a committed father, a pillar of his church community, and the kind of man who showed up, every single time, when it mattered most.
Born and raised in his home state, Gordon grew up learning the values that would define his entire life: hard work, faith, and the quiet strength of loving your people well. He spent decades pouring himself into his career, his community, and his family without asking for recognition or applause. That’s just who he was.
He worked for over 33 years at AK Steel in Middletown, Ohio, a testament to his discipline and dedication. But those who knew him best will tell you that his job was never the biggest thing about him. His family was.
The Passions and Personality That Defined Him
Gordon had a way of making people feel seen. Whether it was during Sunday service, a quiet conversation at the kitchen table, or a moment of prayer with someone who was struggling, he gave his full attention. He didn’t half-listen. He didn’t offer empty words. He meant what he said, and people felt it.
He served as the President of Elk Creek Baptist Church, a role that reflected not just his leadership, but his deep and unwavering faith. Congregation members have described him as a man of genuine character, who lived his beliefs rather than just preaching them.
And beyond faith and work, Gordon loved fiercely. He was a grandfather to 28 grandchildren and a great-grandfather to 38 great-grandchildren. That’s not just a number. That’s an entire world of people who called him theirs.
Gordon Fields Passed Away: Details of His Passing
When and Where Gordon Fields Passed
Gordon Ray Fields Sr., age 80, passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2021, in Middletown, Ohio. He was born June 10, 1940, and lived a full life that touched countless people across decades.
His passing came as a profound loss to his family, his church family, and the broader community that knew and loved him.
A Community Pauses to Grieve
When news of Gordon’s passing spread, it didn’t take long for an outpouring of love to follow. Condolences poured in from people whose lives he had touched in quiet, lasting ways. Church members remembered the visits he made during difficult times. Friends recalled his prayers. Family members leaned on memories of a man who never let them face anything alone.
Grief like this isn’t just sadness. It’s the proof of a life well-lived.
Celebrating the Life Gordon Fields Lived
His Career and Decades of Dedication
Gordon committed more than three decades to AK Steel, earning the kind of respect that only comes from consistent, honest work. He wasn’t the type to cut corners. He showed up, put in the effort, and let his work speak for itself. That same attitude carried over into every other area of his life.
Gordon Fields as a Father, Husband, and Friend
He and his wife Diane were together for 33 years, a partnership built on love, patience, and shared faith. Raising a large family takes more than just good intentions. It takes daily commitment, presence, and sacrifice. Gordon gave all of that and more.
His children remember a father who was involved, engaged, and genuinely interested in their lives. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren knew him as a man with open arms and a steady presence. And his friends knew him as someone you could count on, no matter what.
His Faith and Community Involvement
Gordon’s faith wasn’t a Sunday-morning habit. It was the foundation of everything he did. As President of Elk Creek Baptist Church, he led not through authority but through example. He visited the sick. He prayed with the grieving. He showed up for people in their most vulnerable moments, quietly and consistently.
One church member wrote that Gordon helped their family through their mother’s battle with lung cancer and her passing, offering visits, prayers, and a kindness that never felt forced. That’s the kind of impact Gordon Fields had on people.
Funeral and Memorial Service Information
Visitation Details
Visitation for Gordon Fields was held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursday, January 14, 2021, at Elk Creek Baptist Church, located at 7175 Elk Creek Road, Middletown, OH 45042. Family and friends were invited to come, share memories, and offer their condolences in person during this time.
Funeral Service and Burial Arrangements
The funeral service followed the visitation at 2 p.m. at the church. Burial took place at Pleasant Hill Cemetery. These arrangements were made with care to reflect Gordon’s faith and the community he loved so deeply.
Breitenbach-Anderson Funeral Home assisted the Fields family with all funeral arrangements, providing compassionate support during an incredibly difficult time.
How to Attend or Watch Remotely
For those who could not attend in person, online condolences could be left at the Breitenbach-Anderson Funeral Home website. The family welcomed messages, memories, and expressions of love from anyone who knew Gordon and wanted to pay their respects.
Gordon Fields is Survived By
His Beloved Spouse and Children
Gordon Fields is survived by his wife of 33 years, Diane Fields, along with their children: Gordon Ray (Emily) Fields, Troy (Mary) Fields, Mark Fields, James (Sylvia) Fields, Shannon Mays, Jennie (Steve) Streber, Jody Herold, and Judy (Ralph) Vasquez.
Each of these names represents a relationship Gordon invested in every single day. A parent’s legacy doesn’t live in monuments. It lives in the people he raised.
Grandchildren, Great-Grandchildren, and Extended Family
Gordon is also survived by 28 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren, two sisters, Annabell Thornsburg and Brenda Brown, and numerous nieces and nephews.
That’s a family tree with deep, nourished roots. Gordon planted those roots and tended to them for 80 years. They will grow long after he’s gone.
How to Honor Gordon Fields and Support the Family
Sending Flowers or Sympathy Gifts
Sending flowers is one of the most traditional ways to show a grieving family that you care. Arrangements can be ordered through local florists or directly through funeral home affiliated services. A simple bouquet, a plant, or a meaningful floral tribute can offer comfort in ways that words sometimes can’t.
Leaving a Condolence Message Online
If you knew Gordon and want to share a memory, the family encouraged condolences through the Breitenbach-Anderson Funeral Home online portal at www.breitenbach-anderson.com. Writing a few personal words about who Gordon was to you, a story, a memory, a moment he helped you through, is one of the most meaningful gifts you can give a grieving family.
Don’t overthink it. Just write from the heart.
Planting a Memorial Tree in His Name
Many families today choose to honor loved ones through living memorials. Planting a tree in Gordon’s name is a beautiful, lasting way to celebrate his life. It grows. It provides shade. It outlives us all. Much like the impression Gordon himself left on every person who was lucky enough to know him.
Words From Those Who Knew Him
Tributes From Church Community and Friends
“I just want to say Gordon was a special man. I had the privilege of attending church at Elk Creek Baptist for many years with him. He helped my family during my Mother’s struggle with lung cancer and through her death a few short months later. She thought the world of him, enjoyed his visits and appreciated his prayers.”
That tribute came from someone in the congregation who watched Gordon in action, not just on Sundays, but in the hard, quiet moments that test a person’s character. He passed that test every time.
Memories Shared by Family
Family members remember a man who made time for everyone. With 28 grandchildren and 38 great-grandchildren, Gordon could have been stretched thin. Instead, he was fully present. He remembered names. He showed up. He made people feel like they mattered, because to him, they truly did.
That’s a legacy worth honoring. That’s a life worth celebrating.
Frequently Asked Questions About Gordon Fields
Who was Gordon Fields?
Gordon Ray Fields Sr. was an 80-year-old resident of Middletown, Ohio, who passed away on January 9, 2021. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, church leader, and longtime AK Steel employee who was deeply loved by his community.
When did Gordon Fields pass away?
Gordon Fields passed away on Saturday, January 9, 2021, in Middletown, Ohio.
Where was Gordon Fields’s funeral held?
His funeral service was held on January 14, 2021, at Elk Creek Baptist Church, 7175 Elk Creek Road, Middletown, OH 45042. Burial followed at Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
Who are Gordon Fields’s surviving family members?
Gordon is survived by his wife Diane Fields, eight children, 28 grandchildren, 38 great-grandchildren, two sisters, and numerous nieces and nephews.
How can I leave condolences for the Gordon Fields family?
You can leave condolences online through the Breitenbach-Anderson Funeral Home website at www.breitenbach-anderson.com. Written messages, shared memories, and kind words are welcomed and deeply appreciated by the family.
How can I honor Gordon Fields’s memory?
You can honor Gordon’s memory by sending flowers, planting a memorial tree, sharing a personal memory online, or simply reaching out to the family to let them know you’re thinking of them. Acts of kindness and community were at the core of who Gordon was, and honoring that spirit is one of the most fitting tributes imaginable.
What church did Gordon Fields attend?
Gordon Fields was a member and President of Elk Creek Baptist Church in Middletown, Ohio, where he was known for his deep faith, his compassionate leadership, and his genuine care for the congregation.
Was there a celebration of life for Gordon Fields?
The visitation and funeral service held on January 14, 2021, served as both a final farewell and a celebration of the remarkable life Gordon Fields lived. Family, friends, and church members gathered to grieve, remember, and honor a man who gave so much of himself to others throughout his 80 years.