Long Live Cowboys and the Cowboy spirit within us all.

Lewie Field died from pancreatic cancer at the age of 59. He was born and raised in Utah, and like the boxing Fullmer brothers who put West Jordan on the map, Lewie put Elk Ridge on the map.  He was a five time world rodeo champion with three all-round championships and two bareback titles. The funeral speakers reported that most people would never have known his status, as he wasn't boastful or whined about his aches and pains. He taught by positive example, and good at it, as one of his sons-Kaycee Fields, is a four time world bare back champion. Three of the Nephi Jones boys became acquainted with Kaycee during the Rodeo Finals a couple years ago. Like father-like son, as Kaycee is a great competitor; father and husband, like his old man. Both Lewie and Kaycee are avid fans of the military and often visited our troops in Afghanistan. In the past, some of the big rodeos were at the Cow Palace in California, and that is where Lewie met his beautiful future wife-Veronica, on a blind date. She was smitten by his tight fittin jeans. Another rodeo site used to be at Yankee Stadium in New York. Lewie and his riding partner were killing time during the rodeo and standing by two pick-up horses and decided to hop on and take a stroll downtown New York City. They were gleefully greeted by bystanders and directed by police where the nearest bar was. They wanted to fulfill a youth fantasy to ride a horse in a bar. The doors were open and in they went to have some cowboy fun, and yes they were sober. Patrons loved it as they knew the rodeo was in town, but the management drew the line when one of the horses decided to relieve himself and out they went. Rodeo officials didn't know about it until it made the papers. As you can suspect, Lewie was a prankster and thought we all ought to have fun, regardless of the situation we are in. One of the sons spoke of how "fearless" Lewie was, and didn't shy away from being the best at whatever he did. He "taught without teaching" and "he wanted everyone to be a little better than they were". When interviewed by the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame at his induction, he was asked what he wanted to be remembered by, to which his son quoted "Someday, when rodeo people look back at what I've done, I'd like them to say these things; that I rode tough; that I could ride with pain and courage; that I was a fierce competitor in the arena, but a quiet, respectful man outside the gate". Like Gene Fullmer in boxing, a fierce sports competitor does not have to be mean or obnoxious on the street; in front of the cameras or at home. As one would expect, the funeral process had a touch of Vegas in it, and very entertaining. There were several hundred people who filled the LDS Stake Center, and at least a hundred of them were wearing cowboy hats, even in the chapel. They did-until the branded and simple casket was carried in and lifted to shoulder height. In a simultaneous act of respect, all hats came off. At the cemetery, many of the rodeo friends talked and joked openly, while I stood at a distance watching the process. I was trying to figure out where the family and the casket went, as they were not there. It looked like somebody had pulled a "Lewie" when at a distance you could wear the clippity clop of horses marching on the asphalt. Lewie's casket was somehow skillfully removed from the hearst and placed on a wagon pulled by two draft horses. The casket carrying cowboys were riding their horses behind, with a son leading the empty saddled horse of Lewie. That was the tear jerker, like when the Thunder birds fly in formation then loose one to show respect for a downed Airman, or when a police dispatcher does a "Last Call" for a fallen officer. Utah has lost a great sports figure, and there is one spoke missing from the wagon wheel of life. However, it is quite evident he left a great legacy with many others who in their own way will "Cowboy Up", which can be done without a horse, a cow or even a ten gallon hat. It is the cowboy spirit within.