Claude Fielder

Longtime Rector fire chief Claude Fielder, 91, of Rector died Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2009, at Craighead Nursing Center in Jonesboro.

Fielder served as Rector fire chief from 1942 to 1964 and was the owner of Brewer Lumber Company in Rector from 1971 to 1977, when he retired.

He was born Feb. 2, 1918, at Knob to the late Oscar and Gladys (Thomas) Fielder.

He served in the U.S. Army in 1943, but was discharged due to medical reasons. He worked for Hattie and John Brewer at Brewer Lumber Company beginning in January 1942 and purchased the business from them in 1971.

During his retirement years he enjoyed traveling with his wife around the United States in their motor home. In the later years they lived in Florida during the winter months.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Georgia Fielder; one son, Rocky Fielder; four daughters, Sandra Jean Head, Patricia Ann Murrell, Regina Faye Mitchell and Lexie Yvonne Mitchell; two brothers, Eugene Fielder and Clifton Fielder, and one sister, Dorotha Fielder.

He is survived by the love of his life, Betty Sue Fielder; three children and their spouses, Terricia and David Mosesso of Jonesboro, Gaylon Mitchell of St. Louis, Mo., and Gary and Anna Mitchell of St. Louis; eight grandchildren, Heather Priggel, Misty Hall, Tracy Leonard, Trey Jones, Beth Anderson, Eric Mitchell, Josh Mitchell and Paul Dougan, along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Funeral services will be at 2 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 12, at Irby Funeral Home in Rector with Bro. Jerry Jolly officiating. Interment will be in Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector. Visitation will begin at 12 noon Thursday at the chapel.

The family has asked that memorials be sent to the Fifth and Pine Church of Christ building fund in Rector.