Gary Frields

Born the middle son to beloved parents, Andy and Adine Frields, Gary Q. Frields began his charmed life in Waco, Texas, on March 12, 1946. His farcical, far-fetched, bitter-sweet adventure on this planet ended in Nacogdoches, Texas on Aug. 24, 2013. His love of art and athletic competition began early in his education. Although not required, drawings accompanied all his classwork â€" even math and science. As captain of the football team, class president and class favorite, Gary blazed through high school and emerged a Baylor Bear. Football was his passion, but drawing was his first love. He graduated with his Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1969. At the height of the Vietnam War, Gary’s artistic and athletic talents were admired by the United States Air Force and he was invited to train as a motion picture specialist at Lowery AFB in Denver, Colo. He was deployed to a motion picture complex in southern California after graduating “Outstanding Honor Graduate.â€� His love of art led him back to Texas, and in 1973 he began his graduate studies under John Daniel at Stephen F. Austin State University, School of Art. Inspired by fellow students, kindred spirits and lifelong friends, this was a utopian time for Gary. He received his MA and MFA in drawing and sculpture and was hired as the chairman of the art department at Kilgore College in 1978. The eight years he spent working with the talented and dedicated students at KC brought him incredible memories and enduring friendships with fellow teachers. In 1986 he returned to teach at SFA. He found his home in Nacogdoches â€" laughing, playing and making art â€" it was a dream come true. Gary was many things: intelligent, self-deprecating, generous, passionate, playful, fierce and kind. But, above all, he was happy. He attributed his charmed life and his great happiness to his family, his friends, his students and his soul mate, Tamara. In 2004, the staunchly independent and supremely self-possessed Gary found the equally passionate and compassionate Tamara. His life was changed forever; it finally felt complete. Gary and Tamara were married in 2010. Their home was alive with cheerful laughter, witty mockery, and loads of monkey business. Together, they battled Gary’s cancer, living each day in love and gratitude for having found each other. Gary lived an original life, full of imagination and creativity, devoid of self-imposed limitations and conventional thinking. At 6 p.m. Aug. 30, 2013, celebrate his life less ordinary at the premiere showing of The Beautiful Gary Q. Frields Memorial at the Pines Theater, 113 South 1st Street, Lufkin, Texas. For more than 35 years, Gary inspired and guided students in art and life. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Gary Q. Frields Art Scholarship. Make payment to: SFA Friends of the Arts, noting Frields Scholarship. C/O Linda Mock, SFASU School of Art, Box 13001 SFA Station, Nacogdoches, TX 75962. Gary Frields is survived by his loving wife, Tamara Robertson; endeared brothers Ed & Roy Frields; and cherished nieces and nephews, Alisha Webre, Jennifer Schweizer, Ryan, Roger and Chad Frields and Wesley, Patrick, Anthony and Daniel Newman. He is also survived by his esteemed father and mother in-law, Mike and Annette Robertson; brother in-law, Scott Newman; and sisters in-laws, Carrie Newman, Bev Frields, and Pat Frields. Honorary pallbearers are Linda Mock, Pat Dolan, Angie Brewer, Jeff Brewer, Michael Donahue, O. Rufus Lovett, Russ Havard, Amy George, Ron King, Shaun Roberts, Chad Hines, Eloise Adams, Friends of the Arts, Philip Segrest, Andy Summers, Mike McClinton, Linda Warren, Franklin Willis, Isaac Powell, Doris Daniel, Barb Smith, UHS class of ’64, Linda Lou Warren, Frank Hebert, Dr. Bryan Davis, Xavier Sanders, Allan Westmoreland, Mike Hampton, Nancy Brown, Anna Laperno, Harry Lampert, Jimmy Adcock, Ray Geildmire, Holly Anderson, Suzan Bryant, Ron Rand, Mary McCleary, Les Butler, Wally Knight, Ronnie Cawthon, Steve Neves, Reese Lynch, Rodney Willis, Rusty Cook, SFA students, faculty and staff, Kilgore College students and faculty, Michel Tubbs, Elsie and Roger Campbell, The Texas Association of Schools of Fine Arts, Brandy Best, Sophie-Hospice and Mr. Peanut.