Eugene Fields

Larry was born on July 12, 1922 in Zenda, Kansas to Denzil and Merle Fields and passed away peacefully at his Wickenburg home on May 23, 2023, with his family at his side. He was 100 years old.



Larry moved to Arizona in 1941 where he met Joyce Hershkowitz while working at the Congress gold mine.



On December 24, 1942 Larry enlisted in the United States Army and served as a Staff Sergeant during the Italian Campaign. Upon his return, he married Joyce on March 2, 1946. They made Wickenburg their home and celebrated 76 years of marriage in 2022. They lived in the same house for the entire 76 years.



Larry worked for the Santa Fe Railroad for 45 years. He would ride the passenger train from Wickenburg to Glendale, and back, each day for his job as a surveyor.



Larry played on a local competitive fast pitch softball team and coached the Sarah Jane’s women’s team. He was also a very active racquetball, and handball enthusiast and even after being involved in a number of sports, tennis was his passion. He could be seen playing tennis at Coffinger Park many times a week until a few months ago.



Larry was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals for 93 years. He first listened to the Cardinals on a crystal radio as a young boy. His family and friends held an epic 100th birthday party in the Wickenburg Community Center with over 250 people enjoying a Cardinals themed afternoon. From the sale of Larry Fields Cardinal’s playing cards, over $1800. in donations was raised for the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital.



Larry and Joyce enjoyed summers at their cabin at Lakeside, AZ and vacations in Rocky Point (Cholla Bay), Mexico with family and friends. Deep sea fishing and water skiing was his sport of choice in Mexico.



Larry was a charter member of the Wickenburg Elks Lodge 2160, and an active Freemason and Shriner. As a Shriner he was a supporter of the Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. He had a small plane pilot’s license, rode many years with the Desert Caballeros and was Grand Marshall in a Gold Rush Days parade.



Larry was preceded in death by his wife Joyce in 2022, sisters Geraldine Eason and Neva Rhodes, brothers Kenneth Fields, Patrick J. Russell and his grandson Tyson Bowles.



Larry is survived by his daughter Lynette Bursheim (Mark) from Wickenburg, his granddaughter Kimberly Halla (Paul) from North Carolina and his grandson Lee Thomas Bowles (Rob) from Maine. His great-granddaughter Rylee Halla lives in California and his great-grandson MacKinnley Halla lives with his wife and Larry’s great-great-grandson Liam and great-great-granddaughter Willow in Peoria, AZ. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews.



The family would like to thank Jaylene Lucky, Solace Hospice and the Wickenburg Funeral Home.



Graveside services will be held at 10:30 Saturday, June 3, 2023 at the Wickenburg Cemetery on Kellis Road.