Richard Fox, Sr.

Richard Carl Fox, Sr., 83, a 50 year resident of Gulf Breeze , went to be with the Lord on Nov. 8, 2010. Affectionately called "Paw Paw Fox" by his grandchildren, he was born on March 22, 1927 in St. Paul, Minnesota to his parents, Carl George and Elizabeth (Tschida) Fox. His father was a musician who played many instruments, including the banjo, and was the leader of a band. "Fox" as he was known by family and friends had a life long love for banjo music, the Lawrence Welk show and the Gaithers. After moving with his parents to Milwaukee, Wisconsin at age 13 his father passed away from tuberculosis. Being the oldest, he started working to help his mother care for their family. In 1944 at 17 years old he convinced his mother to sign for him to enlist in the Navy as a Seaman in WWII. After boot camp in "Great Lakes" he was sent to Pennsylvania to join the crew of the newly commissioned 845 LST (Landing Ship Tank). They sailed down the Mississippi River to New Orleans and to the South Pacific War Theatre. At the end of the war he returned to civilian life in Wisconsin only to reenlist in the Navy. He went to Washington, DC and received his orders to go to Pensacola (which he had never heard of). Stationed at Saufley Field, he was 1 out of 300 chosen to drive the fire truck that responded to crashed airplanes. He also flew in their two man training planes. While living in Pensacola he met a local young lady named Jeannette Boles. They were married on December 3, 1950 and would have celebrated 60 years next month. With an honorable discharge from the Navy in 1950, he went to work at St. Regis Paper Company (Champion) in Cantonment. He retired after 35+ years as a bag plant bottomer machine operator. He enjoyed his retirement years spending time traveling with his wife and visiting with his family and especially his grandchildren. This year he flew with the "honor flight" to Washington, DC, accompanied by his son, to visit the WWII Memorial. He showed his pictures to anyone who would take the time to look. At age 58 he put his faith in Jesus Christ as his Savior and was baptized as a member of Avalon Baptist Church where his son pastored. He was a member of Gulf Breeze First Baptist Church where he sang in the choir and served as usher. He is preceded in death by three brothers; Donald, Raymond, and Edward Fox. Survivors include his wife, Jeannette; son, Richard Carl, Jr. "Chip" (Janet) Fox; grandchildren, Rick (Heather) Fox, Daniel Fox, Jennifer (Cori) Lewis; daughter, Lynn (Ken) Adams, grandchildren, Tricia Adams,and Kenneth Adams; sister, Gloria (Hollis) Duncan; brother-in-law, Jerry (Linda) Boles; sisters-in-law, Rose Ann Fox, Beth Boles, Virginia (Herman) Tatum, Cookie (Skip) Ward, and many nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Sunday, November 14, 4:00-7:00 pm at First Baptist Church, Gulf Breeze; Funeral will be held Monday, November 15 at 11:00 am at First Baptist Church, Gulf Breeze with interment at 1:15 pm at Barrancas National Cemetary in Pensacola. Service will be officiated by Dr. Mike Wiggins, Rev. Jeff Spooneybarger and Minister Cori Lewis. Honorary pall bearers will be fellow ministers from the area. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Santa Rosa Baptist Association Haiti Mission Fund in his memory, where his son is the Director of Missions. Address: 6820 Highway 87 N., Milton, FL 32570

Visitation

Visitation

First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze
555 Fairpoint Drive
Gulf Breeze, FL  32561
Sunday, November 14, 2010
4:00 PM

Service

Funeral Service

First Baptist Church of Gulf Breeze
555 Fairpoint Drive
Gulf Breeze, FL  32561
Monday, November 15, 2010
11:00 AM

Cemetery

Burial

Barrancas National Cemetery
One Cemetery Road
Pensacola, FL