Marshall Fifield

Marshall Fifield, 90, of Vancouver, Washington, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, December 10, 2025.

Marshall was born on January 23, 1935, in Grants Pass, Oregon, to Rex and Lydia Ross Fifield. He was the sixth of seven children and the youngest of five boys. During World War II in June 1943, his parents worked at the Kaiser Shipyards in Vancouver, Washington and the family resided in the McLaughlin Heights wartime housing development. Marshall attended the morning shift at the crowded local elementary school and, as a child, would watch the frequent ship launches into the Columbia River with his friends from the nearby McLaughlin hill. His older brothers Rex Jr. and Gerald were serving in the Navy at the time.

His parents moved the family back to Grants Pass after the war where he graduated from Grants Pass High School in 1953.

Marshall Fifield served honorably in the United States Navy, entering service in December 1955 during the early Cold War period.

He began his naval career aboard the USS Mount McKinley while stationed in San Diego, California. On June 6, 1958, he graduated from the U.S. Naval School, Personnelmen Class A, at the U.S. Naval Training Center in San Diego, California, preparing him for administrative and personnel assignments within the Navy.

By 1959, Marshall was serving as a Personnelman Seaman (PNSN) at Naval Air Facility China Lake, California, following sea duty aboard the aircraft carrier USS Lexington (CVA-16), as documented in official Navy muster rolls.

His service included both sea and shore assignments during the Vietnam Era. Marshall retired from the U.S. Navy in June 1975 with the rank of Petty Officer First Class (E-6). His retirement uniform, preserved by the family, reflects his years of dedicated service.

Marshall was part of a proud family tradition of military service, with himself and his four older brothers all serving in the United States Navy. He is remembered with respect and gratitude for his faithful service to his country.

Following his distinguished military service, he worked as a civil serviceman in the mail department in Sacramento, California and then transferred to Tucson, Arizona where he retired from civil service.

He was known for his storytelling, sense of humor and infectious laugh. He loved classic cars. His favorite was a 1958 Chevrolet Impala like in the America Graffiti movie.

Marshall was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 45 years, Aletha Marcum Fifield, and all his siblings: Rex II, Gerald, Merle, Althea Kendall, Leslie, and Carolyn Blankenchip.

He is survived by his children: Timothy, married to Dawn; Teresa, married Ron Shaw; Loren Fifield, and Lisa Moser Berkhemer, also his stepchildren Janet, married to Gordy Wendland; Richard Monks, married to Norma; Pam, married to Terry Kirk; and Steve Monks, as well as several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Services:

A service with military honors will be held on January 23, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at Willamette National Cemetery 11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Portland, Oregon 97266, a United States National Cemetery established in 1949, serving veterans and eligible family members in the region.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Marshall's name to a veteran's organization such as the Wounded Warrior Project or the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society.