Walter Ernest "Ernie" Fields Jr. was born to parents Walter Ernest Sr. and Ruby Fields on Dec. 15, 1935, in Conifer, Colorado. He passed away March 22, 2014 in Missoula, Montana. Born into a farming family, he was the fourth of ten children. In 1942, he and his family moved to Milliken, Co.
Ernie took pride in being a flag tender in grade school and graduated from Johnstown High School in 1953.
Ernie had a closeness with animals and always had a critter or furry friend close by. He was known to tame a fox and even had a pet raccoon. Most every critter returned his affections. He was known as "Dr.Doolittle" among family and friends. Not a cat or dog could visit Ernie without getting its whiskers tested or a butt handle pulled for attachment strength. He loved to tell stories of his adventures with animals growing up and regaled his children and grandchildren with many cherished tales from his youth.
Ernie joined the Air Force in the fall of 1953 and served honorably until 1958. He served in Michigan, Greenland, and finally Great Falls, Mt. During his time in Great Falls, he owned and flew a small plane with his best friend, Butch Cassidy. Together, they started the Charter Chapter of the Treasure State Motorcycle Club, sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association. Ernie and Butch had numerous adventures on their Harleys and traveled thousands of miles together. Thus, began Ernie's love for Montana.
In 1963, Ernie met Irene Esther Ozdan of Minitonas, Manitoba, and after a brief courtship were married on Nov. 9, 1963 in Calgary, Alberta. They settled in Lafayette, Colo, until Ernie built their home in Berthoud, Co. They had three children, two daughters and a son.
Ernie began a career with IBM in Boulder Co. in 1966. His wife Irene passed away in 1972. He began his journey back to Montana after spending two years (1974 to 1976) in Midvale, Utah. He moved his family to the family home in the Helena Valley on Jan. 1, 1977. He retired from IBM in 1992 and began a second career as a school bus driver for Treausre State Transit. He rallied hard for seat belts on school buses. He worked with OPI and the school district as well as writing many letters to the editor. Safety for the children was always his first priority, he never gave up his fight for their safety until his body would not allow him to fight any more.
Ernie's parents preceded him death as well as his wife Irene granddaughter Heaven Isaboe Wilkinson, brother Howard and a sister Mary York.
He is survived by his three children, eight grandchildren, and two brothers and five sisters.
Ernie took pride in being a flag tender in grade school and graduated from Johnstown High School in 1953.
Ernie had a closeness with animals and always had a critter or furry friend close by. He was known to tame a fox and even had a pet raccoon. Most every critter returned his affections. He was known as "Dr.Doolittle" among family and friends. Not a cat or dog could visit Ernie without getting its whiskers tested or a butt handle pulled for attachment strength. He loved to tell stories of his adventures with animals growing up and regaled his children and grandchildren with many cherished tales from his youth.
Ernie joined the Air Force in the fall of 1953 and served honorably until 1958. He served in Michigan, Greenland, and finally Great Falls, Mt. During his time in Great Falls, he owned and flew a small plane with his best friend, Butch Cassidy. Together, they started the Charter Chapter of the Treasure State Motorcycle Club, sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association. Ernie and Butch had numerous adventures on their Harleys and traveled thousands of miles together. Thus, began Ernie's love for Montana.
In 1963, Ernie met Irene Esther Ozdan of Minitonas, Manitoba, and after a brief courtship were married on Nov. 9, 1963 in Calgary, Alberta. They settled in Lafayette, Colo, until Ernie built their home in Berthoud, Co. They had three children, two daughters and a son.
Ernie began a career with IBM in Boulder Co. in 1966. His wife Irene passed away in 1972. He began his journey back to Montana after spending two years (1974 to 1976) in Midvale, Utah. He moved his family to the family home in the Helena Valley on Jan. 1, 1977. He retired from IBM in 1992 and began a second career as a school bus driver for Treausre State Transit. He rallied hard for seat belts on school buses. He worked with OPI and the school district as well as writing many letters to the editor. Safety for the children was always his first priority, he never gave up his fight for their safety until his body would not allow him to fight any more.
Ernie's parents preceded him death as well as his wife Irene granddaughter Heaven Isaboe Wilkinson, brother Howard and a sister Mary York.
He is survived by his three children, eight grandchildren, and two brothers and five sisters.
Walter Ernest "Ernie" Fields Jr. was born to parents Walter Ernest Sr. and Ruby Fields on Dec. 15, 1935, in Conifer, Colorado. He passed away March 22, 2014 in Missoula, Montana. Born into a farming family, he was the fourth of ten children. In 1942, he and his family moved to Milliken, Co.
Ernie took pride in being a flag tender in grade school and graduated from Johnstown High School in 1953.
Ernie had a closeness with animals and always had a critter or furry friend close by. He was known to tame a fox and even had a pet raccoon. Most every critter returned his affections. He was known as "Dr.Doolittle" among family and friends. Not a cat or dog could visit Ernie without getting its whiskers tested or a butt handle pulled for attachment strength. He loved to tell stories of his adventures with animals growing up and regaled his children and grandchildren with many cherished tales from his youth.
Ernie joined the Air Force in the fall of 1953 and served honorably until 1958. He served in Michigan, Greenland, and finally Great Falls, Mt. During his time in Great Falls, he owned and flew a small plane with his best friend, Butch Cassidy. Together, they started the Charter Chapter of the Treasure State Motorcycle Club, sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association. Ernie and Butch had numerous adventures on their Harleys and traveled thousands of miles together. Thus, began Ernie's love for Montana.
In 1963, Ernie met Irene Esther Ozdan of Minitonas, Manitoba, and after a brief courtship were married on Nov. 9, 1963 in Calgary, Alberta. They settled in Lafayette, Colo, until Ernie built their home in Berthoud, Co. They had three children, two daughters and a son.
Ernie began a career with IBM in Boulder Co. in 1966. His wife Irene passed away in 1972. He began his journey back to Montana after spending two years (1974 to 1976) in Midvale, Utah. He moved his family to the family home in the Helena Valley on Jan. 1, 1977. He retired from IBM in 1992 and began a second career as a school bus driver for Treausre State Transit. He rallied hard for seat belts on school buses. He worked with OPI and the school district as well as writing many letters to the editor. Safety for the children was always his first priority, he never gave up his fight for their safety until his body would not allow him to fight any more.
Ernie's parents preceded him death as well as his wife Irene granddaughter Heaven Isaboe Wilkinson, brother Howard and a sister Mary York.
He is survived by his three children, eight grandchildren, and two brothers and five sisters.
Ernie took pride in being a flag tender in grade school and graduated from Johnstown High School in 1953.
Ernie had a closeness with animals and always had a critter or furry friend close by. He was known to tame a fox and even had a pet raccoon. Most every critter returned his affections. He was known as "Dr.Doolittle" among family and friends. Not a cat or dog could visit Ernie without getting its whiskers tested or a butt handle pulled for attachment strength. He loved to tell stories of his adventures with animals growing up and regaled his children and grandchildren with many cherished tales from his youth.
Ernie joined the Air Force in the fall of 1953 and served honorably until 1958. He served in Michigan, Greenland, and finally Great Falls, Mt. During his time in Great Falls, he owned and flew a small plane with his best friend, Butch Cassidy. Together, they started the Charter Chapter of the Treasure State Motorcycle Club, sanctioned by the American Motorcycle Association. Ernie and Butch had numerous adventures on their Harleys and traveled thousands of miles together. Thus, began Ernie's love for Montana.
In 1963, Ernie met Irene Esther Ozdan of Minitonas, Manitoba, and after a brief courtship were married on Nov. 9, 1963 in Calgary, Alberta. They settled in Lafayette, Colo, until Ernie built their home in Berthoud, Co. They had three children, two daughters and a son.
Ernie began a career with IBM in Boulder Co. in 1966. His wife Irene passed away in 1972. He began his journey back to Montana after spending two years (1974 to 1976) in Midvale, Utah. He moved his family to the family home in the Helena Valley on Jan. 1, 1977. He retired from IBM in 1992 and began a second career as a school bus driver for Treausre State Transit. He rallied hard for seat belts on school buses. He worked with OPI and the school district as well as writing many letters to the editor. Safety for the children was always his first priority, he never gave up his fight for their safety until his body would not allow him to fight any more.
Ernie's parents preceded him death as well as his wife Irene granddaughter Heaven Isaboe Wilkinson, brother Howard and a sister Mary York.
He is survived by his three children, eight grandchildren, and two brothers and five sisters.
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