Fields honored as Distinguished Citizen

Fields honored as Distinguished Citizen
Posted on 02/01/2019
This is the image for the news article titled Fields honored as Distinguished CitizenBy: Jade Wise
Pasadena ISD Communications






The Pasadena ISD Board of Trustees recently honored Jess Fields Sr., president and owner of Rosewood Funeral Home, as the 2018 Distinguished Citizen of the Year during a special ceremony on January 31.

Held in the Braden-Orozco Professional Development Complex, the event drew a large crowd of local dignitaries, educators, business partners, along with Fields’ family and friends.

The prestigious distinction is awarded annually to a local resident or business representative who has demonstrated a strong commitment to serving communities within the school district.

“Jess understands the value of education and the impact that teachers have on students,” said Board President Mariselle Quijano. “He understands that investing in the classroom is what it takes to mold tomorrow’s leaders.” 

One of the recurring themes of the event was the story of how Fields, who grew up in Humble, made Pasadena his second home and quickly became a community leader after opening Rosewood Pasadena in 2002. 

Less than a year after the Pasadena location opened, Fields was named to the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce Board and was elected Chairman. He has also served the community as a member of the Texas Funeral Commission Board, Director of the Texas Citizens Bank Advisory Board, Director of the Texas Chiropractic College Advisory Board and member of the Pasadena ISD Education Foundation Advisory Board.

Another focus of the event was how Fields became one of the founding donors of the McDonald’s Texas Invitational. In addition to being one of the largest high school basketball tournaments in the state, the Invitational is a fundraiser that has brought more than $2.2 million dollars to Pasadena ISD classrooms through the education foundation. 

“Jess could have stopped after the initial donation and said, “I’ve done my part,” said Quijano. “However, instead, he consistently renews his investment into the Pasadena ISD community by ensuring that Rosewood regularly sponsors the tournament.”

The event concluded with the revealing of a commemorative plaque that will be put on permanent display outside the Pasadena ISD Administration Building.

“I am overwhelmed and truly honored by this award,” said Fields. “I have heard a lot tonight about how I adopted Pasadena, but I feel that Pasadena has adopted me and welcomed my family and I with open arms.”


For more photos of the event, click here!



Board of Trustees & Jess Fields
The Pasadena ISD Board of Trustees presented Jess Fields Sr. with a commemorative plaque to recognize him as the 2018 Distinguished Citizen of the Year. (L to R): Kenny Fernandez, Board Member; Nelda Sullivan, Board  Vice President; Jess Fields Sr., 2018 Distinguished Citizen of the Year; Marshall Kendrick, Board Secretary; Mariselle Quijano, Board President; Vickie Morgan, Board Member; Dr. DeeAnn Powell, Superintendent of Schools