Fletcher Fields

Fletcher Fields passed away in the early morning hours of March 3rd, 2017 at the age of 78 years. Fletcher was born on January 24, 1939 to Paul and Bessie Fields in Brady, Texas. He was a graduate of Brady High School in 1957 and was a member of the first Brady Bulldog football team to compete in a state championship in 1956. Being the star player on the team, Fletcher was named All-State fullback that year. Fletcher was also a member of the basketball team and track team, qualifying for state in both the shot put and discus. He went on to play football at Hardin-Simmons University and held the record for the longest field goal in the Border Conference. He still holds that record to this day. Upon graduation, Fletcher returned to Brady High School as a coach and teacher, athletic director and head football coach from 1966 to 1970, leading his beloved Bulldogs to a district championship during that time. He resigned as a coach after his father in law passed away, but continued to teach, serving as the driver's education teacher for many years and taught a whole generation of students, many of whom still quote him to this day. Fletcher was still called Coach or "Daddy Fletch" by many of his former students and athletes for the rest of his life. In 1982, Mr. Fields started his own sprinkler system business. His proudest accomplishments were the installations of the sprinkler systems at the Brady High School football field and the McCulloch County and Mason County Courthouse lawns. Mr. Fields was an avid outdoorsman and loved to fish and hunt. He also enjoyed his time working at the family ranch, as well as with other ranchers in the area, spending time on horseback taking care of cows, and sometimes sheep and goats. Fletcher married his high school sweetheart, Mary Sue Bratton on August 15, 1958, and they spent 58 blessed years together. He was a father to Kathleen Fields Gray, and Nita Fields, and grandfather to Hannah Gray and Kacy Rowley. Fletcher and Mary Sue spent many years as members of the Cotillion Dance Club, as well as being a member of the First United Methodist Church in Brady. Fletcher was also a member of the Texas High School Coaches Association, the Brady Education Association, and the Texas State Teachers Association. Fletcher was preceded in death by an infant son, Barry Ethan Fields, his parents, Paul and Bessie Fields;, his brother, Willie Ray Fields; his mother and father in laws, Lora and Van Bratton; and a brother in law, Byron Van Bratton. He is survived by his beloved wife, Mary Sue Fields, two daughters, Kathleen Fields Gray and Nita Fields, and her husband, Michael Hodges; two granddaughters, Hannah Gray of Brady, and Kacy Rowley of College Station, Texas.; one niece, Valixte Swindle of Sugarland, Texas; two nephews, Kraig Fields of Waco, Texas, Leston Fields of Brady, Texas, along with numerous cousins, in-laws, a host of friends, and his beloved cat, Outlaw.

Fletcher Fields

January 24, 1939 - March 3, 2017