Charles Lorring Nield

Charles Loring (Chuck) Nield of Umatilla, Florida , age 80, passed away on September 1, 2025. Born on September 24, 1944, in Orlando, Florida, Charles—known to many as Chuck—lived a life marked by generosity, mechanical ingenuity, and a deep appreciation for the outdoors. He relocated to Umatilla in 1994 and was forever grateful to live in his adopted home town of Umatilla, where he made so many wonderful friends.

In passing Chuck donated his body to Moffitt Cancer Center where he was under such great care for over nine years.

Chuck was the kind of man who never hesitated to lend a hand. Whether it was a neighbor’s broken lawnmower or a friend’s stalled car, if it had a motor, Chuck could fix it—and he welcomed the challenge. Over the years, his garage became a haven for all things mechanical in need of repair. Friends and family alike brought him their non-working machines with confidence that Chuck would bring them back to life. He took great pride in this gift and found joy in helping others through his skills.

A man of many passions, Chuck had a particular fondness for karaoke. Whether performing for friends or simply enjoying the music around him, he found great happiness in song. His love for animals was equally enduring—he always had at least one dog by his side, often more than one. In a charming personal tradition that reflected both his creativity and affection for his pets, every dog he owned was named after a U.S. state.

An avid fisherman and nature enthusiast, Chuck spent countless hours near the water with a rod in hand. Fishing was more than just a pastime—it was a passion that brought him peace and connection with the natural world. While he “sorta liked” hunting, as he would say with a grin, his favorite part of those excursions was capturing wildlife through the lens of his camera rather than through the scope of a rifle. He would return from trips into the woods not with game but with memory cards full of images—deer grazing at dawn, bears lumbering through underbrush, birds mid-flight—all testaments to his quiet reverence for nature.

Chuck is survived by his devoted wife, Judy K. (Stuart) Nield; three daughters: Regina Lynn Norwood, Michelle Jean Lance (Kenny), and Nichole L. Nield; four sisters: Linda D. (Nield) Sutton, Ora Christinia (Tinia) Nield, Donna Fortune Chisolm, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. His legacy also lives on through numerous extended family members and friends who were touched by his kindness and practical wisdom.

He was preceded in death by his Father Loring Charles Nield, Mother Marjorie Pauline Fortune, sister Brenda Charlene Nield, and grandsons Cory Micheal Norwood and Christopher Wayne Norwood.

May his memory bring comfort to those who knew him and inspiration to those who remember his generous spirit and love for life’s simple pleasures.