James Edward Fields, 62, of Indianapolis, IN passed away on September 5, 2016.

James was born on November 12, 1953 in Williamson, West Virginia, to the late Carl Eugene and Mildred (Bailey) Fields.  He later spent much of his childhood and youth in Bluefield, Virginia, where he attended Graham High School.

He served his country honorably as a member of the US Army forces during the Vietnam War era.

He obtained his associate degree in civil and electrical design engineering from Columbus State Community College, Columbus, OH.  James worked as a contract engineer for some of the nation’s largest manufacturing companies – Thomson Consumer, Kellogg, Anchor-Hocking, NASA, just to name a few.

James had a great affinity for speed, whether it was racing or dancing around the local skating rink, speeding over the beautiful hills of Bluefield, Virginia, countryside in his customized Ford GTO, soaring through the skies as a private pilot or simply letting someone else put the pedal to the metal as he viewed the current NASCAR race.

Family was the essence of life to James.  He leaves behind his beloved sons, Wade (Tina), James Douglas (Mary), Jason (Becky) and Justin (Aingeal).  He was grandfather to Jimmy, Megan, Patrick, Joshua, Corbin, Avery, Hannah and Ethan.  He was the older brother to Billy (Debbie), Frankie (Janet) and Janet (Ty) Cool. He will also be missed by his niece and 4 nephews.

Mourning his loss is his companion of six years, Merilee Andrews, and her family and children Kent (Kristy), Ryan (Victoria), Jeannine (Mike) Suarez and Eleene Moore – Andrews. He will always be “Jamsey” to the Andrews grandchildren, Nathan, Victor, Olivia, Braeden, Alex, Riley and Michaela.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, September 17, from1-3 p.m. at the Kennington American Legion Post 34, 2210 E. 54th Street, Indianapolis.  Graveside service will be in Bluefield, VA, October 8, 2016, at Maple Hill Cemetery at 3: 00.