Attorney Taylor Fields

Obituary Taylor Fields was born on May 19, 1944 in St. Louis, Missouri to James Edward Fields and Marie (Taylor) Fields. Taylor Fields was the second of 3 children born to their union. He had one brother, James Fields, and one sister, Bernetta Fields. He received his early education in the St. Louis Public School District. After graduation from high school, he attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, during which he completed the ROTC training program. He graduated from the University of Missouri-Columbia with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering in 1967. On the same date, he received a commission as second lieutenant for the United States Army. In the summer of 1967, he was ordered to Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, where he completed officer’s training. Taylor Fields was employed at the United States Atomic Energy Commission, where he worked as a chemical engineer from 1967-1971. In 1968, Taylor Fields entered law school at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He met his wife, Delores (Harris) Fields, while he was employed at the Atomic Energy Commission. They were married on September 13, 1969. To this union were born three children: Carla Marie Johnson, Wesley Owen Fields, and Denise Frances Fields. All three of his children followed in his footsteps and became attorneys. After graduating from law school in 1971, Taylor Fields worked as in-house counsel at Bendix Corporation in Southfield, Michigan. Taylor and Delores Fields moved back to Kansas City, Missouri in 1973. In 1974, Taylor Fields started his own law practice, which developed into the largest minority-owned law firm in the Kansas City area. Although lauded by many organizations, including the Kansans City Metropolitan Bar Association, the Jackson County Bar Association and the National Bar Association, for his contributions to the legal profession, perhaps one of his proudest moments occurred when he successfully argued before the Missouri Supreme Court to establish a livable minimum wage of $15.00 per hour. Anyone who knew Taylor Fields, knew that he had a lifelong passion for black history. He served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Black Archives of Mid-America. During his service, he supported the Black Archives in its effort to be the haven for black articles, art, and news. During numerous programs at the Archives, he often spoke of black heroes whose lives embodied the principles of courage, faith, hard work, and self-sacrifice. He also served as a lifelong member of the NAACP. Taylor Fields faithfully served at Paseo Baptist Church since he and his wife became members in 1973. He has served as a trustee for more than 30 years and as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for more than 25 years. While serving at Paseo, he initiated an annual black history program for the youth at the Church. In addition, during the month of February, Taylor Fields organized weekly black history reflections, during which members of the youth department spoke about black heroes. Taylor Fields was committed to helping Paseo’s youth learn about their history and develop self-confidence and oratory skills. Taylor Fields served in numerous other community service organizations. He was elected to three terms to the Grandview School Board of Education. He was the first African American to be elected to the Grandview School Board in 1991. During this period, the District consistently climbed in academic standards. He served as the treasurer for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) for more than 18 years. For more than 25 years, he served as program chairman for the annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. He also was a member of the Midwesterners of Kansas City social club. For more than 25 years, Taylor Fields served on the Mathews-Dickey Board of Directors. Taylor Fields was a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi, Inc., since he joined in 1964. He was elected to the Middle Western Province Board of Directors. He also served as a member of the Board of Directors of the City Union Mission. He is survived by his beloved wife, Delores Fields; his three children, Carla Marie (Claude) Johnson, Wesley Owen Fields, and Denise Frances Fields; his grandchildren, Parker Noel Fields and Kennedy Taylor Johnson; his brother, James Donald (Carole) Fields; and his sister, Bernetta Fields. He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and other relatives. Funeral Service will be held Saturday, August 7, 2021, 11:00am at Paseo Baptist Church. Interment will be held on Friday, August 13, 2021,1:00pm at Mt. Moriah Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9am-11am at the church. Service conducted by Lawrence A. Jones & Sons Funeral Chapel. Condolences may be shared on our website. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Attorney Taylor Fields, please visit our floral store. Read More

Attorney Taylor Fields

May 19, 1944 - July 28, 2021