James D. Fields

Service: 2 p.m. Saturday at North Davis Church of Christ. Visitation: 5 to 7 p.m. Friday at Moore Funeral Home, N. Davis.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to the Alzheimer's Foundation:http://www.alzfdn.org/ ContributetoAFA/makeadonation.html

Born Jan. 11, 1937, in Kemp, Don lived in several East Texas towns until he graduated in 1954 from Paul Pewitt High School in Omaha, Texas, at age 17. Don's career began in Dallas at First National Bank where he worked his way up in the data processing world, during the beginning of the era of computerized banking. He moved his family to El Paso in 1969, serving as vice president of data processing for El Paso National Bank which led to the position of president of an Albuquerque, N.M., data processing center.

In 1975 he created an Arlington-based jewelry manufacturer, starting with Indian turquoise and later gold and diamond wholesale distribution. At his retirement in 2009, Don achieved more than 30 successful years in the wholesale jewelry industry. Don also successfully developed numerous D/FW and East Texas commercial and residential properties.

A sportsman at heart, Don rarely missed a deer season, a round of golf or a Dallas Cowboys season. Travel, a passion for him and his wife, Shirley, enabled numerous tours throughout the U.S., Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe.

The family would like to thank all of his caregivers, especially Gladys and Kenny Kwaramba.

Survivors: A member of North Davis Church of Christ, Don is survived by his wife, Shirley Smith Fields; her three children, Cindy, Rodney and Trish; daughter, Vicki Barbosa and husband, Greg, of Georgetown; son, Greg Fields and wife, Julie, and their mother, Doris Fields, of Arlington; and numerous grandchildren. Don will also be remembered for his generosity to his family, friends and employees.