Marion Spencer "Buck" Fields, Jr. passed away on October 12, 2021, with loving family by his side.  He was born February 6, 1940 in Iowa City, Iowa, and grew up in the Cove neighborhood of Panama City, Florida.  A graduate of Bay High School, the University of Florida, and Emory University, Dr. Fields entered the Navy Dental Corps in 1964, rising to the rank of Captain before retiring in 1991. During his postings in Connecticut, Guantanamo Bay, Scotland, the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, the Philippines, and several bases in California (the longest at Coronado Island, San Diego and its associated Marine Recruit Depot), Buck served his country proudly, and spent several tours on Naval ships all over the world, including the USS Simon Lake and the USS Dixie.  After his military retirement, Buck continued serving as a dentist in private practice in San Diego, eventually returning to his hometown of Panama City in his final years.

In 1970, he married the former Carolyn Bowles, who he loved dearly (and pestered, as he always had  his sisters,  with constant practical jokes and "gotcha" jump scares) until the day she died in 2007. They lived for many years in La Jolla, California, and enjoyed Pacific Ocean views, fine dining, and the company of many friends. Buck spent much of his free time collecting and restoring antique cars (with a particular fondness for Jaguars) and firearms. He was an expert marksman, earning Navy medals for expertise in shooting, and an avid hunter, traveling across the country and world in pursuit of game. His quick, razor-sharp humor, his sometimes hidden soft side, and his brilliant mind will be missed by those who were lucky enough to know him.

Buck was preceded in death by his wife Carolyn Bowles Fields, his parents Spencer and Dorothy Fields, his sisters Pruda Fields and Nancy Fields Zukoski , and his sister in law Jane Bowles Knecht.  He is survived by his brothers in law Ben Knecht, Joe Zukoski, Dave Baird, and Herbert Burgin. He is also survived by nephews and nieces John Knecht, Janelle Knecht Barrett, David Baird, Phaedra Baird Dugan, Paul Burgin, Jennifer Zukoski Collier, and Lee Zukoski Walker, and their families. He taught them, among other things, how to ride bikes without training wheels, how to properly boil peanuts, how to drink bourbon neat, and how to be a person of your word. Finally, he is survived by his friends and loved ones at Superior Residences of Panama City Beach, FL, who are now and forever his family, too.

Memorialization will be by cremation, and a private family burial at sea will be carried out at a later date through the services of the United States Navy.

Those wishing to honor Buck's legacy may make a donation to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society of San Diego, to assist and support the shipmates and Marines that Buck was proud to serve alongside, or to the amazing team at Vitas Healthcare of Panama City, Florida.