John Monroe Fields

With heavy hearts and fond memories, we have to share that John Monroe “Johnny” Fields of Panhandle, Texas finished his earthly race, holding hands with his wife, on Sunday, January 4, 2026, aged 88 years. The family will attend a private burial at Panhandle Cemetery on Friday, January 9, 2026, under the direction of Minton Chatwell Funeral Directors of Panhandle. A memorial service will be held at the Panhandle Church of Christ at 11 am with a reception after in the Family Center until 1 pm. The family will receive guests from 5-7 pm on Thursday, January 8, 2026, at the funeral home.

John was born to Virgil and Elsie Fields on May 2, 1937, in Paducah, Texas. He was the middle of seven children and the only son. Three older sisters and three younger. The family soon made its way to Littlefield, Texas, buying what would become the family farm. “Sonny”, as his mother called him, grew up on the farm. Upon graduation from Littlefield High School, John served in the United States Army starting just after his 18th birthday. He served from 1954 to 1957 with the bulk of his military career spent in Japan teaching English.

After the military, John attended Texas A&M University and then transferred to West Texas State University. He was a scholar by all accounts ultimately earning a master’s degree from West Texas. All the while, John was a cowboy by every definition and was an accomplished rodeo hand with what else, bull riding as his specialty. His trophy buckles are numerous.

John met the love of his life in Canyon, Texas in those college years. He married Erma Faye Bronniman on July 21, 1961, and made their home in Littlefield, Texas to farm the family ground. Soon the Texas A&M Extension Service came calling and made an offer he could not refuse. There, he would find his passion and life’s work serving the young agricultural minded youth in three different counties in Texas over the years with the lion’s share being in Carson County. Panhandle, Texas became his home. The years of stock shows made him an expert in livestock selection and care. He was an unrivaled cattle fitter with a pair of brown handled clippers as his brush and a show animal his canvas. He was always known for his quick wit and gift of a good yarn for all to enjoy followed by a sincere laugh. The millions of miles he travelled in the world of stock show life availed him to a vast circle of friends across the country. The lives he touched in his public life are enumerable and those relationships meant the world to him.

At home, John was a loving husband and supportive father. Whatever the two Fields brothers pursued, John was 100% supportive. John was proud of the accomplishments of his boys whether in athletics, academics, or in the show ring.

John was a man of quiet faith believing that serving people was what he had best to offer in service to his Savior. If you needed him, he was always there.

"Thank you" to the Interim Hospice team will never be enough, but it is all the family has to offer. The care and support you provided for this great man will never be forgotten.

John was blessed with his Brookdale Medi Park West family until the minute he left us. We simply cannot name them all, but they know who they are. John’s family will be forever grateful for every one of you.

John is survived by his wife, Erma of Panhandle; sons, Brad Fields and wife Brenda of Panhandle, Mark Fields and Karrie Barber of Amarillo; five grandchildren who affectionately called him Poppy and all of whom adored him, Caleb Fields and wife Desiree of Panhandle, Bailey Rocha and husband Tim of Panhandle, Griffin Fields and Taylee Rippee of Amarillo, Samantha Fields of Lubbock, Savannah Fields of Stillwater, Oklahoma; “Poppy” to four “plus” great grandchildren, Emery, Roaney, Tack and baby on the way Fields and Pansy Rocha; and sisters, Eva Hopping, Ann Colburn, and Paula Hoague.