Former Missouri state representative and Mississippi County court judge, Frederick William "Fred" DeField, age 90, died Monday, December 14, 2015, at the Missouri Delta Medical Center in Sikeston.

Fred was a native to Southeast Missouri, born June 1, 1925 in Bertrand, Missouri to the late Edward David and Etna Hay DeField.

Though successful in every career he pursued, most notably in politics, Fred was best known for his humor, spirit of adventure, and ability to tell a story that could quiet a room. He often told his grandchildren about his days of train hopping as a youth, riding the rails with the vagabonds in order to sign up to serve his country in the Navy. Though he was turned away for being underage (a few times), Fred's stubborn persistence to serve—a trait that defined his political success and passion for public service for over fifty years—eventually triumphed. During the dark days of World War 2, he joined the Navy at only 17 years old.

Initially assigned to a naval infantry brigade, Lion 4, he was later attached to a mine warfare detachment producing sea mines to drop off the coast of Japan. After an explosion at the mine facility killed 33 men and obliterated the facility, Fred was given an engineering assignment on the Island of Tinian. During his tenure on Tinian he personally saw both the Enola Gay and Boxcar leave and return on their assignment to drop the atomic bombs on Japan.

On January 1, 1946 while still on Tinian over 100 Japanese soldiers, who had just learned that the war was over, came down from the mountains and surrendered to the first American soldier they saw - Fred DeField. The surrender, however, was interrupting Fred's New Year's festivities, so he promptly directed them on to headquarters. The incident was written up in the Stars and Stripes newsletter.

After Tinian, Fred was assigned to the Estes, the command ship of the Iwo Jima campaign. During his tenure on the Estes, the ship was assigned to the Atomic energy commission for atomic testing in the Pacific, taking part in over 10 atomic testings culminating in the testing of the first hydrogen bomb.

Later, Fred served on the Estes as it was docked in Saigon in the early days of the Vietnam campaign. In 1961, he played a role in the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba by taking a landing craft from Key West to Cuba and landing Cuban mercenaries on the beach in Cuba.

In 1968, Fred completed a life-long dream of entering politics. That year he ran for and was elected representative of the 160th district of Missouri (which encompassed Charleston and East Prairie). He served 12 years in that position until his appointment as Missouri Director of Farmers Home Administration, a U.S. government agency dedicated to extending credit for agriculture and rural development.

After Fred's tenure at Farmers Home, he returned back to Charleston where he was elected Presiding Judge of the County Court. He served in that position for 3 terms. His passion for politics kept him active in the Democratic party for years.

In addition to being the great patriarch of the DeField family, he was selected Charleston's Man of the Year in 2010 for his leadership in the Charleston community. As leader of Boy Scout Troop #33 for a number of years, Fred mentored hundreds of young boys in their transition from youth to manhood. Many of which refer to him as a father today. Ever the adventurer, Fred enjoyed traveling with his family, particularly to national historic sites and National Parks. Fred loved working on his farm in southern Illinois, which kept him active to the end.

On November 13, 1955 he married Dorothy Lee Bryant who preceded him in death on October 10, 2012.

He is survived by: his son and daughter-in-law, Dr. Robert and Lynda DeField of Marathon, FL; daughter, Lee DeField Fraley of Sikeston; two grandsons: Rick Slaughter and his wife Tracy of Orlando, FL and Zach Fraley of Denver, CO; one granddaughter, Andrea DeField, Esq. of Miami, FL; and three great-granddaughters: McKenzie Slaughter of East Prairie, and Logan and Mikayla Slaughter of Orlando, FL; also of great help and comfort to him in his final years was his strong friendship with Sandy Harvey. Fred is survived also by his wonderful extended family and friends throughout Missouri.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by one son, Bryant DeField, one grandson, Scott Slaughter; three brothers, Edward DeField, Bruce DeField, and Gerald H. DeField; and one sister, Mildred Ruth DeField Gilmore.

Fred's life was defined by service, humor, leadership, and congeniality - all qualities which will live on in the lives he touched and characters he molded.

Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, December 18, 2015 at the McMikle Funeral Home.

Visitation will resume at Noon, Saturday, December 19, 2015, and continue until the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m., at the United Methodist Church in Charleston. Rev. David Collum, pastor, will officiate.

Interment will follow at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery near Charleston with full military rites provided by the United States Navy and the Missouri Military Honors Program.

Pallbearers will be: George Gilmore, Marvin Gilmore, Bruce DeField, Dan DeField, G.W. Gilmore and Billy French.

The family requests memorials be made to:
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
P.O. Box 1000, Dept. 142
Memphis, TN 38101-9980

United Methodist Church
P.O. Box 351
Charleston, MO 63834