"You always knew where he stood," said retired Superintendent Dan Sullivan, who had been visiting Fields in the hospital in recent weeks. "His commitments in life were to God and his family and the Newport school system."

Mr. Fields, 71, died Monday of complications from a genetic liver disease.

Survivors include a daughter, Cathy Wecker of Alexandria, and sons, Steve Fields of Dallas, Gary Fields of Bowling Green, and Douglas Fields of Lakeside Park.

Mr. Fields also is survived by two brothers, James Fields of Cold Spring and William Fields of Florence, and 13 grandchildren.

His wife, Joann, died in 1988, and a son, Greg Fields, in 2002.

When his wife was ill with cancer, Mr. Fields stayed home and cared for her while tending to his five children. The couple's youngest child, Doug, was 16 when his mother died.

For years, Mr. Fields drove a church bus and worked as a manager of newspaper delivery routes.

"He believed in an education," said a daughter-in-law, Lynn Fields.

Even while in the hospital awaiting a liver transplant, Mr. Fields kept up with school board business, his colleagues said.

Mr. Fields served for 33 years on the Newport School Board. He was sometimes in the minority on issues, but he never took it personally and always made a point to support the board's ultimate decisions, said Sullivan, the former superintendent.

A new board member will be appointed by the Kentucky commissioner of education.

A committee of education leaders in Northern Kentucky - but outside of Newport - will interview candidates and advise the commissioner.

Anyone who meets the qualifications for office is eligible to apply, a state spokesperson said

Candidates for school board must be at least 24 years of age, a resident of the state for at least three years before the election, a voter in the district and have earned a high school diploma or equivalent.

Visitation will be 5-8 p.m. Friday at Full Gospel Assembly of God Church, 13th and John streets in Newport. Services are 10 a.m. Saturday at the church.

E-mail kgutierrez@enquirer.com