Ray Edward Fields

Ray Edward Fields, age 87, entered the presence of his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, in Clovis, NM.

Ray was born on September 15,1938, in Crescent, OK, to Ellis John Fields and Lillie Mae Rogers Fields. Ray met the love of his life, Aleta (Lee) Russell while on leave after completing Marine Corps boot camp. After a year and a half of sending love letters back and forth, they were wed on February 2,1959, in Clinton, Oklahoma, just before he was scheduled to be stationed at the Marine Corps Base – Kaneohe on Oahu. Lee joined him, and while they were living there Hawaii became the 50th state.

After an honorable discharge from the Marines in 1960, he worked for the FAA until 1967 when he was then hired as a civilian with the Department of Defense and sent to Cannon AFB in Clovis, NM. He was a technical advisor and instructor regarding the computer system for the F-111 fighter jets. He remained in that position until he retired in 1993.

Family time together was important, as evidenced in many ways. Church was attended as a family, and Ray and Lee spent time as youth sponsors. When Ray and Lee were living in England due to him being assigned to Lakenheath AFB, he became the first American to serve on the church board at the church they attended in England.

Square dancing was fun family time with Ray and Lee joining the Y Squares and taking the girls with them to dances in town and out of town. Later Ray and Lee would also begin round dancing and join the Rhythm Round Dancers. They became involved with the Wildcadette Drill Team from 1975 to 1979 while Rebecca and then Kimberly were on the team. In the '77-'78 school year, Ray and Lee were named Parents of the Year.

Annual summer vacations were spent as a family traveling. Many of these trips were spent exploring new, and often out-of-the way, places while camping and fishing. Hunting was always on the fall calendar providing fun and adventure with friends and family. In the early 1970's one camping locale became special to the family – Padre Island National Seashore. Ray and Lee would eventually become campground hosts, serving over 10,000 hours each and meeting people from around the world. They would also get to share their love of this place with their grandchildren and great-grandchildren with two of the great-grandchildren being baptized in those waters this past summer.

In retirement, Ray and Lee hit the road in their motorhome traveling to Canada, Nova Scotia, and 48 states including a special three-month trip to Alaska. At home, Ray enjoyed gardening, making what the family dubbed "Shell Critters" and crosses from the hundreds of shells and driftwood collected over the years, tinkering in his shop, and mastering Sudoku, and reading.

Ray leaves behind a legacy of service and dedication to God, family, and country.

Ray is preceded in death by his parents, Ellis Fields and Lillie Fields, two brothers, Walter Fields and James Fields: four sisters, Freda Murray, Katherine Alexander, Sue Clement, and Joy Bible.

Ray is survived by his wife of 67 years Aleta "Lee" Fields of the home; two daughters, Rebecca Currington of Levelland, TX, and Kimberly (Terril) DeFoor of Clovis, NM; sister, Alice (Loran) Yunevich of York, NE; two grandchildren, Kaina (Skylar) Hodson of Clovis, NM, and Tycer (Coren) DeFoor of New Home, TX; and five great-grandchildren, Kynlee, Micah, Kaden, Madilyn, and Brayson.

Cremation will take place with no services at this time. A private family gathering celebrating Ray's life has been held.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Parkland Baptist church, The Gideon, and Samaritan's Purse.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Muffley Funeral Home, www.muffleyfuneralhome.com, (575)762-4435.