Frances Ortiz Fields

With family members by her side, Frances peacefully passed away on May 23, 2024, at the age of 95. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to everyone.

The third oldest of nine siblings, Frances was born on July 4, 1928 in Cayey, Puerto Rico to Rosa and Candido Ortiz. Soon after graduating from the University of Puerto Rico in the field of radiological technology, she married the love of her life, John Hershal Fields, and they enjoyed 57 years of marriage, until his passing in 2006. With her husband in the navy, the family moved around the country, until they happily settled in Oxnard, California in 1964. For health care reasons, Frances and John relocated to Devine, Texas in 2004.

What brought her the most joy were her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She gave of her time freely to all whenever needed. She will forever remain in our hearts, and missed by all who knew her.

57 years filled with love, laughter, adventure, and service to our country. Francisca Ortiz Santiago Fields was born on July 4, 1928 in Cayey, Puerto Rico to Rosa Maria (Santiago) and Candido Ortiz.

Frances married a sailor (missile man) in the United States Navy, John Hershal Fields, on February 5, 1949 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Frances loved the beach, gardening, shopping, and nurturing her family in every way possible. She was a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend to everyone.

Known as Fran and John, but referred affectionately to each other as "Panchy and Johnny", they found the love of their life in each other. Both were interested in baseball, bowling, golf, card games, cribbage, Las Vegas, and entertaining family and friends, but enjoyed and loved their grandchildren most of all. They were collectors and filled their home with many different items. No shortage of baseball cards or Barbies in the Fields house.

Frances passed back into John's loving arms on May 23, 2024 in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 95.

John Hershal Fields was born on May 19, 1921 in Big Stone Gap, Virginia to John W. and Virgie W. (Barker) Fields.

After 20 years of service to the United States Navy, John retired in 1962 as an ATC (Aviation Electronics Technician Chief Petty Officer) Chief serving aboard the USS Saratoga CVA 60 and the USS Independence CVA 62, with one last duty station in Bermuda. He served our country with pride and honor through three wars, World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

His work with missiles took Frances and John to Lawton, Oklahoma where AAI (Aircraft Armaments Incorporated) was developing the Sergeant Missile at Fort Sill, and finally lead them to Oxnard, California in 1964 and NSMSES (United States Naval Ship Missile Systems Engineering Station) at Port Hueneme. John worked for Civil Service as Instrumentation Division Section Head TLM (Technology Lifecycle Management). He retired after 30 years of service in 1976 for a second time from government service.

John and Frances acquired a recreational vehicle and decided to travel the United States and even managed to visit Canada for the World's Fair in Vancouver. Adventures were many with their family, good friends, and RV Camping Clubs.

After relocating to Devine, Texas in 2004 for health reasons, John passed away on August 2, 2006 at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas at the age of 85.

They are survived by her sister, Natividad Ortiz Morales (Manuel), daughter, Frances Blanche Johnson (Harry Robert Goode), son, John Chester Fields, granddaughter, Jennifer Michelle Fields, grandsons, Mark Douglas Johnson, Brian Michael Johnson (Barbara), and great grandsons, Stryker Blaize Johnson, Rad Ical Johnson, and Zachary Andrew Mayer-Johnson.

They will forever remain in our hearts and be missed by all who knew them. In lieu of flowers and to honor their memory, "Pay It Forward" and do something kind for someone or make a contribution to your favorite organization or charity in their name. They gave of their time freely and where ever they were needed.

They are interned together in Section 42, Grave site 444 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery where they will never be forgotten and will always be remembered by a grateful nation and proud family.