James Thomas Fields, Sr.

James Thomas Fields, Sr. was born to his father, Newton A. Fields and mother, Esther (Bethany) Fields August 1, 1940. January 2, 2026, Jesus called him home. James attended Arcadia Elementary School and graduated with the class of 1960 from Ketron High School.

As a young man, he was employed by Pal Barger where he worked at Pal’s Sudden service and together with his co-workers, developed the original Pal’s chili recipe. For a brief time, James also worked at Kingsport Press and began a long career with Sterchi Brothers Furniture in 1963. There James served as credit manager and later as store manager for a number of years at multiple locations including Kingsport, Morristown, Rogersville, Erwin, Greeneville and Knoxville. James continued his career with Heilig Meyers until the company was dissolved.

Not one to remain idle, James worked at various places including Courtesy Chevrolet, Advance Auto, O’Reilly’s Auto Parts and Fisher Auto Parts until age 83.

September 30, 1960, he married the love of his life, Betty (Lemmons). Together they shared a wonderful 65 years and had two children, Jim (James, Jr.) and Debbie.

James enjoyed attending car shows and had a special fondness for Chevy’s. He was especially proud of his little blue truck and could be recognized all over East Tennessee.

He was a member and attended North Kingsport Church of God. James loved to share stories and witness of Jesus’s touch on his life to everyone.

Left to cherish all the fond memories of James are his wife of 65 years, Betty; son, Jim (Jimmy) and wife Doris; daughter, Debbie and fiancé Gary; grandchildren, Amber (Nick) Laughlin, Casey and Nathaniel Edmonds; step-grandchildren, Chandila (Randy) Boggs, Laura (Michael) Franks, Cameron (Charity) Poe; great-grandchildren, Alyssa, Caleb, Sophia, Olivia; step great-grandchildren, Lilly, Ava, Chloe, Tristan, Emery, Rymington, Novie; two great-great grandchildren; step-mother, Nancy Fields; sister, Carol Hensley; brother, Joey (Wendy) Fields, step-sister, Judy (Rodger) Castle; step-brother, Phillip Dykes.

Other than his parents, James was also preceded in death by brothers, Ralph and Bill Fields; sister, Jeanette Yates; mother-in-law, Elizabeth (Liz) Lemmons; brothers-in-law, Clovis Yates and Joe Lemmons; and son-in-law, Brian Edmonds.

James was blessed with a large family, many of which remain here to cherish his memory and others who have passed but all were special to him.

The family will receive friends from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at North Kingsport Church of God. The funeral service will follow at 5 p.m.

Graveside services will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, January 5, 2026, at Hermon United Methodist Church Cemetery.

The family would like to extend special thanks to Amedisys Hospice Care and Dr. Daniel Carroll.