Larry Fields

Larry Max Fields, 78, died April 1, 2026 in Graham, Texas.

He was born on January 19, 1948 in Sweetwater, Texas to Leo Alton Fields and Mary Jo Hail Fields and became the younger brother to Alton Jo Fields. The family first lived in Blackwell, Texas before moving to Dimmitt, Texas where Larry’s dad coached the 1954 and 1955 Girls’ Basketball State Champions. When Larry was 10 years old, they moved to Kress, Texas where he met his future wife, Judy Kay Harris. The two families and all of their children became close friends.

Larry graduated from Kress High School in 1966 and attended West Texas State University (WT) on a basketball scholarship. He and Judy graduated from WT on June 1, 1966 and married in Kress on June 6. They drove her yellow Ford Mustang, Buttercup, to New Orleans for their honeymoon before settling in Panhandle, Texas.

Larry intended to make a living as a Farm Bureau agent, but Panhandle needed a City Manager. So, he gave it a try and a legacy career was born. Larry served the community of Panhandle for four years before moving to Abernathy, Texas to serve that city for five years. It was in Abernathy where Larry and Judy started their family of three little girls, Lesley, Lindsey, and Alison.

In search of a place with rivers and lakes, trees, and hills Larry found Graham, Texas and as fortune would have it, Graham needed a City Manager. So, Larry and Judy and the girls moved to Graham in July, 1979 where he first served as Assistant City Manager before becoming City Manager in 1981. Larry faithfully served the people of Graham with his heart and soul for over 30 years. When he retired the first time, he held the record as longest tenured City Manager in the state of Texas. Then he returned to serve two more times as interim City Manager. Whenever Graham needed him, Larry was there. He was not a proud man, but he was extremely proud of what he and the city built together. He believed that there was no greater place to live than Graham, Texas.

Larry didn’t just serve the City of Graham, he also dedicated much of his spare time supporting other municipalities in the state of Texas. For decades, he was a member of the Texas City Managers Association (TCMA) and was president of TCMA Region 4. From 1990 to 2024 he was a board member of the Texas Health Benefits Pool where he served as chairman, as a member of the finance committee, and as a member of the nominating committee. 

While working hard and raising three girls, Larry also made the time for hunting, fishing, playing guitar, dancing, roping, and drinking coffee with his friends at the “Table of Knowledge.” His favorite places to be in this world was laughing and playing with his family at the 2-story yellow brick house on Calaveras Street, pickin’ and grinnin’ with his bluegrass band, Possum Creek, leading karaoke with his friends, ropin’ with his cowboy buddies, cookin’ ribs on his cooker, and anywhere outside with big trees, a body of water, and his dogs.

Larry was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Jo Fields, his father and mother-in-law J.C. and Frances Harris, his brother and sister-in-law Terry and Terri Lynn Harris, his brother-in-law Jimmy Harris, and his nephew Kerry Harris.

Larry is survived by his wife Judy, his three girls Lesley, Lindsey, Alison, and Alison’s husband Brad Watson. He leaves behind his beloved grandchildren Cora and Leo Watson. He is also survived by his brother Alton Fields, his wife Janie, and their son Chance, as well as his precious, but ornery in-laws Charles and Beverly Harris, Dan and Tina Dipprey, and Kay Harris. He is fondly remembered by many nieces and nephews: Kayleen, Miles, Kristen, Amber, Aubree, Olivia, Landon, Lauren, and Amelia. He will forever be known as “Sle” by his dear friends Pete and Sidney Brown and their children Geren, Robert, Jeffrey, and Rebecca. Larry lives on in the memories of many other extended family members and friends who will deeply miss him.

Most people know Larry as the guy that was always making everyone laugh by doing something crazy or absurd. And he was that guy, but Larry was also the loyal caretaker to all of his loved ones. He loved the City of Graham and dedicated over 30 years of his life taking care of that community as its City Manager. He loved his wife Judy and was devoted to building a beautiful home and family with her for 56 years. He loved his 3 girls and happily went to every piano recital, dance recital, flag competition, basketball game, volleyball game and track meet when he always would rather be outside. He loved his son-in-law, Brad like his own. But most of all, Larry loved being “Pop” to his precious grandchildren Cora and Leo, and he would do anything to make them squeal with laughter.

It is important to note that Larry passed on April Fool’s Day, because he loved a good joke. His audacity knew no bounds when trying to make people laugh. He was the best at being fun: the fun dad, the fun uncle, the fun friend, the fun Sle, the fun Pop, just plain ol’ good fun. You always knew if Larry was around, you were in for a good belly laugh.

A Celebration of Life will be Tuesday April 7 at 11:00am in the First Presbyterian Church on Randy Drive in Graham, Texas. The family suggests memorials be made to the Graham Senior Citizens Center and/or Graham Meals on Wheels.