Hugh Fields' Obituary

Hampton Funeral Service
Hugh Fields Hugh Fields
(December 18, 1946 - March 1, 2011)

Hugh Andrew Fields of Grandfather Village in Linville, NC lost his courageous battle with leukemia on Tuesday evening, the first of March, at his home in Grandfather Golf and Country Club. Hugh died in the loving care of his family and closest friends. He was 64 years old. Hugh’s warm smile, "How ya doin’ partner?” greeting, and witty one liners will be missed by those who knew and loved him.

Born December 18, 1946 in Charleston, SC, Hugh was the son of the late Luther and Lucielle Fields. After graduating from high school in Camden, he attended Baptist College of Charleston, SC, where he was an accomplished golfer on the school's golf team. Hugh’s talent and passion for golf continued throughout his life.

After graduating from college, his love of the mountains brought him to Linville, NC where he began his career in Club Management and Real Estate. Hugh served as an Assistant Golf Professional at Linville Golf Club, and later at Grandfather Golf and Country Club, where he became Assistant to the General Manager. Hugh later became the General Manager of the Club until 1982. At that time, he founded Fields and Company Real Estate, a real estate sales and development company, primarily handling the sales of Grandfather Golf and Country Club's residential properties. A few of Hugh’s successes and endeavors include the development of the Grandfather Center, a retail shopping center, landmark and focal point of the Linville - Banner Elk area. He was also the founder of The Sterling Company Real Estate dealing with real estate in the Avery and Watauga County markets.

Hugh was committed to the welfare of the community and devoted much of his time to Healthcare and Education. His dedication to the growth and quality of life for the children and citizens of the High Country will be his legacy. His vision and guidance of civic and charitable organizations spans over forty years. Notably, he served as a Trustee of The Crossnore School for Children for 37 years, and as Chairman from 1976 to 1989. Hugh also served on the Board of Trustees for Cannon Memorial Hospital and as Chairman from 1995 through 1999. He served as the Chairman of the Cannon Sloop Healthcare Foundation Board. He was instrumental in the merger between Cannon Memorial Hospital and Watauga Medical Center forming Appalachian Regional Healthcare System to which he served on the Board of Trustees for both the Healthcare System and the Foundation until 2009. Additionally, he played a significant role in the development of the YMCA of Avery County. Hugh gave his guidance and leadership to those and many other civic and charitable organizations.

His greatest love was his family. Hugh is survived by his wife of 39 years, Eleanor Calhoun Fields, his daughter, Sarah Fields Whitfield, his son Lawson Andrew Fields, his son-in-law, Brian Corry Whitfield and Eleanor Clay Calhoun, his mother-in-law.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, March 5th, at 2:00 o'clock PM at the Grandfather Golf and Country Club Clubhouse in Linville, NC. Officiating will be Dr. Paul Spaulding Smith.

Gifts and memorials in lieu of flowers, may be sent to The Crossnore School for Children in Crossnore, NC, the Seby B. Jones Cancer Center in Boone, NC, or the Humane Society of Avery County.

Online condolences may be sent to the Fields family at www.hamptonfuneralservice.com.

Hampton Funeral and Cremation Service is in charge of the arrangements.

Thanks to Patricia Price Gillion for passing this on to me!