Obituary for James Edward Field
James (Jim) Edward Field, Ret. U.S. Air Force Lt. Colonel, Fighter Pilot and Veteran of the Vietnam War, died early morning on December 1, 2021, with his youngest son, Joseph Michael, by his side.
Born in Humboldt, Iowa, June 29, 1932, Jim was the youngest child of Remey and Gladys (Gilligan) Field. His spirit is reunited with his parents and his sisters Phyllis Koeppel and Janice Frisbie.
A graduate of St. Edward Catholic High School in Elgin, Illinois and the University of Illinois, Jim entered the Air Force as an officer and was able to follow his passion for flying. His first assignment was at Donaldson AFB in Greenville, SC where he met his future wife and love of his life, Shirley Joan Wallace, while double-dating – Shirley with his roommate and Jim with Shirley’s. They married in St. Mary’s Catholic Church October 29, 1955.
During Jim’s twenty years of service as “The World’s Greatest Fighter Pilot” his four children were born across the states and continent. His eldest, James Patrick Field (Terry) in Las Vegas, NV; Lisa Marie Field in Cambridge, England; Teresa Dinkins Buschor (Dan) in Victorville, CA and Joseph Michael Field (Lori) in Miami, FL.
Jim was blessed with many grandchildren who loved him. Chad Dinkins, Adam (Stephanie) Dinkins, Sabrina (Kevin) Dion, Christy (Robert) Vernet and great grandson Douglass James Vernet, James (Caroline) Field, Michael Field, Christopher Field, Grant (Kaitlyn) Field, Dexter Buschor and Ashley Ludman.
Shaw AFB was Jim’s last destination in his Air Force career. He returned to school and received his MBA from the University of South Carolina and began a career in the banking industry. SAFE Federal Credit Union became his second home before retiring after over thirty years. Soon thereafter, the City of Sumter convinced him to return to the workplace as Interim HR Director. Shirley finally convinced him to retire at the age of 84.
Although retired, Jim continued service to his church, St. Anne and St. Jude Roman Catholic Church. He contributed his tithes, time, and talent to the opening of St. Francis Xavier High School and to the architectural and building committee of the newly planned church.
Jim’s service to the community of Sumter, SC was vast and varied. He was extremely passionate with his contributions to the annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, and the Prison Ministry among others.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 216 East Liberty Street, Sumter, SC on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 12 p.m. officiated by the Fr. Giovannie Nunez, CRM. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the St. Anne-St. Jude Catholic Church Capitol Campaign, 216 East Liberty Street, Sumter, SC 29150.
You may share condolences online at www.ecsfuneralhome.com.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.
Born in Humboldt, Iowa, June 29, 1932, Jim was the youngest child of Remey and Gladys (Gilligan) Field. His spirit is reunited with his parents and his sisters Phyllis Koeppel and Janice Frisbie.
A graduate of St. Edward Catholic High School in Elgin, Illinois and the University of Illinois, Jim entered the Air Force as an officer and was able to follow his passion for flying. His first assignment was at Donaldson AFB in Greenville, SC where he met his future wife and love of his life, Shirley Joan Wallace, while double-dating – Shirley with his roommate and Jim with Shirley’s. They married in St. Mary’s Catholic Church October 29, 1955.
During Jim’s twenty years of service as “The World’s Greatest Fighter Pilot” his four children were born across the states and continent. His eldest, James Patrick Field (Terry) in Las Vegas, NV; Lisa Marie Field in Cambridge, England; Teresa Dinkins Buschor (Dan) in Victorville, CA and Joseph Michael Field (Lori) in Miami, FL.
Jim was blessed with many grandchildren who loved him. Chad Dinkins, Adam (Stephanie) Dinkins, Sabrina (Kevin) Dion, Christy (Robert) Vernet and great grandson Douglass James Vernet, James (Caroline) Field, Michael Field, Christopher Field, Grant (Kaitlyn) Field, Dexter Buschor and Ashley Ludman.
Shaw AFB was Jim’s last destination in his Air Force career. He returned to school and received his MBA from the University of South Carolina and began a career in the banking industry. SAFE Federal Credit Union became his second home before retiring after over thirty years. Soon thereafter, the City of Sumter convinced him to return to the workplace as Interim HR Director. Shirley finally convinced him to retire at the age of 84.
Although retired, Jim continued service to his church, St. Anne and St. Jude Roman Catholic Church. He contributed his tithes, time, and talent to the opening of St. Francis Xavier High School and to the architectural and building committee of the newly planned church.
Jim’s service to the community of Sumter, SC was vast and varied. He was extremely passionate with his contributions to the annual Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast, and the Prison Ministry among others.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Anne’s Catholic Church, 216 East Liberty Street, Sumter, SC on Monday, December 6, 2021, at 12 p.m. officiated by the Fr. Giovannie Nunez, CRM. Burial with full military honors will follow in the Evergreen Memorial Park Cemetery.
Memorials may be sent to the St. Anne-St. Jude Catholic Church Capitol Campaign, 216 East Liberty Street, Sumter, SC 29150.
You may share condolences online at www.ecsfuneralhome.com.
Elmore-Cannon-Stephens Funeral Home and Crematorium of Sumter is in charge of the arrangements.