of Helena, AR
January 7, 1941 - January 24, 2026
Frederick Fielder was born in Fort Smith, Arkansas in January 1941 and he took his last earthly breath in January 2026 after a short illness.
A curious soul, Fred graduated from Fort Smith High School, where he befriended Wayne Pogue and Bob Hartness. They became partners in art, cars and wandered the edges of the city, pushing buttons and living life to the fullest as young teens did back then.
Never seeing boundaries, Fred found purpose at the Memphis College of Art, where his life was enriched with his confidante Ellis Chappel and Wayne Pogue. From there, Fred further spread his wings, enjoying all Memphis had to offer (thank you, Coletta's on Parkway!), later exploring various Missouri cities (professionally embossing, no less).
In his earlier years, Fred enlisted in the Army National Guard of Arkansas and was trained as a Cannoneer and Army National Guard of Missouri as a Sharpshooter serving a total term of six (6) years as a reservist.
He later settled in Cape Gerardeau, Missouri and went to work for Hallmark and American Greetings as an engraver for over 25 years.
Fred finally made Phillips County (Helena West Helena), Arkansas home, where he planted roots as a graphic artist/lithographer/teacher with then Phillips County Community College for over 13 years.
However, as the years went by, Fred realized a completely different profession which was an itch that needed scratching. He started his law enforcement career initially as a Radio Dispatcher for the City of Helena, then Police Patrol Officer and later Police Chief of Helena West Helena.
In his later life, Fred focused on living life to its fullest: continuously learning new things, building and flying model planes, using chopsticks for the tiniest beads, shooting rifles, creating perfect recipes and telling stories alongside his friend and ''brother'' Too Tall (James Moore). Collectively, his sustained belief in God, the joy of the wind in his ponytail on a motorcycle ride and going against the grain made Fred one of a kind.
He was preceded in death by his loving mother, Getrude Shelley Moody of Fort Smith, Arkansas.
Fred is survived by his wife of 27 years, Vida Fielder; his daughter Farrah Fielder and Fiance Rob of Boca Raton, Florida. Sister in Law, Rita Agbodjah (New Berlin Wisconsin). Nieces: Dzifa (Jifa) Short and spouse John, (Roland, Arkansas), Yawa Agbodjah (Ghana West Africa), Elom Agbodjah (Ghana, West Africa), Nick Agbodjah (New Berlin, Wisconsin).
Grand Nephew and Nieces: Maverick, Dakota and Olivia Shorts of Roland, Arkansas.
There will be viewing on Thursday February 5th at 10a.m followed by a short funeral service at 11:00a.m at the Roller Citizens Funeral Home in West Helena, AR.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Tunnel to Towers Foundation or simply to someone close to you that may need a helping hand. Teach someone something. Share a recipe. Tell a tale. Adopt a cat or two. And remember: He did it his way.