Obituary of Jim Field

James Robert Field was born February 24, 1929, in Gary, IN to Dwight Leroy & Isabel (Lambrecht) Field.  He passed from this life on June 30, 2023, at the age of 94. 

As a boy, Jim played the bugle for the Veterans of Foreign Wars ceremonies and started his lifelong love for the harmonica. A neighbor introduced him to woodworking, another lifelong love. Always up for an adventure, Jim worked to earn money to pay for flying lessons and earned his pilot’s license at the age of 16. He earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Indiana and then immediately was sent to serve in the US Army in South Korea as a Second Lieutenant, Artillery. 

Upon returning to the United States, Jim met Fran, the love of his life, while on a rattle snake hunt. They fell in love while she played the piano and he followed along on his harmonica. They were married in November of 1959 and the adventures continued. They joined the Tulsa Camp and Canoe Club and took their two babies along for all the excitement. Jim took his family on numerous adventures in their pop-up trailer all over the United States. His children believed that anyone that didn’t camp didn’t really go on vacation! 

Jim worked as the Claims Manager at AAA for most of his professional career. During this time, he became an expert in growing chrysanthemums and won many “Best of Show” awards at the Tulsa Chrysanthemum Club shows. He retired at the age of 65 and then continued to take his wife on adventures. Together they visited China, England, countries in South America and many countries in Europe. Together they joined the Tulsa Community Band where Jim played the trumpet and Fran played the bassoon. Jim also continued to perfect his woodworking and harmonica skills. He was known to whip out his harmonica, which he always carried with him, and add a bit of musical whimsy whenever and wherever possible. His family is sure that he was presented with a Heavenly Harmonica when he entered Heaven. 

Jim accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior at an early age and that formed the foundation of his life. Together, Jim and Fran faithfully served the Lord. They led many Christian Marriage Encounter weekends for couples all over the United States. They led Sunday School classes for children and sang in Church choirs. They also served on mission trips in their retirement years. Most importantly, Jim raised his family to follow the Lord and both of his children became Christians at early ages. 

We are sure that when Jim walked through the Gates of Heaven he was greeted with “Well done, good and faithful servant…Enter into the joy of your Master!” Matthew25:21 

Jim was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, Richard Field and Jack Field.  He is survived by his wife, Afranda “Fran” Cecelia Ann (Thomason) Field; his daughter and son-in-law, Cynthia & Brad Robinson; his son and daughter-in-law, Robert & Shelia Field; and three grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Aaron and Kien. 

Jim will lie in state from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Thursday, July 6, at the Ninde Brookside Funeral Home.  His funeral will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, July 7, at Parkview Baptist Church.  He will be laid to rest following at Floral Haven Memorial Gardens, Broken Arrow. 

Ninde Brookside, 918-742-5556, www.ninde.com