Ronald Dean Feild, 83, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2024, in Plano, TX. He was a beloved husband, father, brother, and grandfather, known as “Ron” to friends and family and as “Dadoo” to his grandchildren.
Ronald Dean Feild
(May 22, 1941 — November 23, 2024)
Ron was born on May 22, 1941, in Birmingham, AL, to Ralph Feild and Viva (Merlin) Boswell Feild. He met his cherished wife of nearly 62 years, Jill Vann Feild, at Fairfield High School. He graduated in 1959 and later served as President of the Fairfield High School Alumni Association. Ron attended Samford University in Birmingham, AL, where he studied English and Chemistry.
He married Jill in January 1963 at a ceremony led by his father, Reverend Ralph Feild, at First Baptist Church of Fairfield, AL. Jill fondly recalls that Ron once told his father, upon first seeing her at age 15, that he would one day marry her. Four years later, he did. They were blessed with two children, Lori and Russell, born just 14 months apart.
Ron began his service as a Medical Corpsman in the U.S. Army in 1967. He continued his military service in the U.S. Army Reserves until 1982, when he was honorably discharged.
As a certified Medical Technologist through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), Ron enjoyed a career spanning more than 40 years. He worked in laboratories and hospitals across the Southeast, including Ochsner and Hotel Dieu Hospitals in New Orleans. He also served as Executive Director of ARL/LabSouth in Montgomery, AL, before co-founding a drug-testing company with his wife, Jill, and other partners. The company operated successfully until 2020.
For those who knew him, Ron will be remembered most for his beautiful voice and his love of music. He served as a part-time Minister of Music at several small churches in Texas and Louisiana and was a dedicated member of church choirs and a frequent soloist. He also sang with two gospel quartets, Riverside in Louisiana and 4 by Grace in Prattville, AL, cherishing the fellowship and joy these groups brought him, particularly with his friends in 4 by Grace.
Ron was a voracious reader. In retirement, he surrounded himself with piles of books “in waiting” while immersing himself in his current read. He also loved studying and reading the Bible, sharing his insights as a Sunday School teacher. Above all, Ron deeply loved his family.
Ron was predeceased by his father, Ralph Feild; mother, Merlin Feild; beloved grandmother, Annie Lee Carter Boswell; and dear mother-in-law, Lora Reeve Vann Campbell.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jill Vann Feild, of Plano, TX; daughter, Lori Feild Schwarz (Scott) of Plano, TX; son, Russell Dean Feild (Jana) of Odenville, AL; grandchildren, Madison Feild and Reeve Feild; sister, Ronda Feild Lee; sisters-in-law, Cathy Coursey (Ken) and Jan Hayden; as well as several nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate the life of Ronald Dean Feild will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024 at 2:00 PM at Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home.
Visitation will take place at 1:00 PM, prior to the service, at the same location.
Burial will follow at Jefferson Memorial Gardens East, AL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Ron’s name to the American Lung Association.
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