Napoleon Fielder, 84, died Thursday morning. Rome’s first black City Commissioner, he was appointed to the commission in 1980 and resigned in 2002.

Prior to joining the City Commission, Fielder had served on the Rome-Floyd County Recreation Authority, including a stint as its chairman. He served on the board of directors for the Rome Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Floyd Mental Health Association. Fielder came to the commission after working as a supervisor with the Floyd County Correctional Institution and as a kitchen supervisor with Northwest Georgia Regional Hospital.

"He was a wonderful man and we'll always remember him," said Commissioner Bill Fricks. "He was a great leader, and he was loved by everyone, not only in Rome, but by many people across the state in the Georgia Municipal Association. They always enjoyed seeing him."

Wright's Memorial Mortuary has charge of funeral arrangements.