Ronald Duane Fields (75) passed away, unexpectedly, on Feb. 16, 2021 in Sanibel, FL. He was born June 27, 1945, in Knott County, KY to the late Melvin and Imogene Pigman Fields. On Nov. 12, 1964, he married Georgia Shelton, who survives.
Ron graduated from Jackson High School in 1963, and The University of Kentucky in 1968 with a BS in Business Administration. From there he went to work for GE Aircraft Engine Group, Evendale, OH in their Financial Management Program, followed by Blount Brothers Construction as a subcontractor of Proctor and Gamble, Cincinnati, OH and then as Project Manager for Kaiser Aluminum, building the nuclear power plant in Moscow, OH.
His plan was to own his own business, so in 1974 he started Mound Refuse in Chillicothe, OH which he sold in 1988. He additionally acquired Scioto Farm Supply on Seney Road and established Mound, a roll-off container business for waste and recycling, plus owned and operated Scioto Jewelry Supply.
Ron enjoyed thoroughbred horses, which he bred and raced. One of those horses, Catlaunch, the pride of Ohio racing, received every accolade in Ohio racing, including three time winner of Horse of the Year. Catlaunch was retired to Old Friends Equine, a center for retired race horses in Georgetown, KY.
Ron was active in the community serving as the Past President of the YMCA, Past President of the Chillicothe Evening Lions Club, Vice President of The Chillicothe Jaycees, past member of the noon Rotary, Past Chairman of the Ross Pickaway Highland Fayette Solid Waste District, former member of the Ross County Board of Elections, Past Chairman of the Ross County Republican Party and past Board Member of the Ohio Thoroughbred Breeders and Owners Association.
Ron was a car enthusiast, collecting new and old styles. He shared this passion with his brother, Greg, and friend Wilbur Poole. The three of them must surely be back in conversation about their favorites.
He loved music, especially Bluegrass, and tried his hand picking on the guitar, banjo and mandolin, never to a high degree of accomplishment but loved it nevertheless. He and Georgia spent many hours, over the years, at Bluegrass concerts with dear friends, Fran and Dave Upperman.
He was a constant seeker of knowledge. One included traveling to the Island of Monserrat in the Caribbean, to do an archaeology dig of a sugar plantation. This was done as a learning program through the National Geographic Society.
Fishing was also a favorite pastime. During his time spent in Sanibel Ron was active in the Sanibel Fishing Club and was even awarded Angler of the Year during one fishing season. He was also active in the Sanibel-Captiva Sail and Power Squadron now known as America’s Boating Club and assisted with the Sanibel Emergency Response and Assistance Team (SERAT).
Family was everything to Ron and spending time with them brought great joy to his life. He is survived by his wife Georgia, with whom he shared 56 years of marriage, plus 3-1/2 years as high school sweethearts, spending nearly 60 years together, son Bryan (Victoria) Fields, Chillicothe, OH, daughter Jill (Nelson) Parker, Windermere, FL, the light of his eyes, granddaughters Lily Gray Parker, Roseyln Marie and Esther Poppy Fields, brother Dr. Mitch (Amy) Fields, Chillicothe, OH, sisters-in-law Sally Fields and Lucille Hamilton, both of Jackson, OH, brothers-in-law Bill Shelton, Jackson, OH, Bob (Ann) Shelton, Oak Hill, OH, Jack (Marcia) Shelton, Ocala, FL and his acquired brother, Danny Pritchard, Chillicothe, OH, plus the addition of many beloved nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by brothers Douglas Fields and John Gregory Fields, father and mother-in-law, Clyde and Gladys Shelton, brothers-in-law Bob Hamilton and Robert Britt, sisters-in-law Marie Britt, Agnes Watson and Sandy Shelton. During his life, his interests were many and shared with a great number of friends. To name them all would require a list far too long. Each will know who they are and Ron treasured the time spent with them.
Arrangements are pending under the direction of Mayhew Brown Funeral Home, Jackson, OH. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Old Friends, Inc, 1841 Payne’s Depot Road, Georgetown, KY, 40324; or Trinity United Methodist Church, 24 S. Mulberry St., Chillicothe, OH 45601; or Hope Clinic of Ross County, P.O. Box 864, Chillicothe, OH 45601. Condolences can be sent to www.mayhew-brownfuneralhome.com