Funeral services for Melvin D. Fox, 89, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 19, 2017 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.
Mr. Fox passed away at 9:50 a.m., Tuesday, August 15, 2017 at West Vue Nursing Center.
He was born November 27, 1927, at Pottersville, Missouri, to Everett Nelson Fox and Wretha Caledonia Spencer Fox. Melvin graduated from Bakersfield High School with the Class of 1945. Mr. Fox was a veteran, having served with the United States Army; he served from April of 1946 until October of 1947 as a clerk typist and was stationed in Korea. On April 1, 1950, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Alfa Oneal Johnson, who preceded him in death on September 28, 2012. In his early years, Melvin worked at the CCC Camps near Hammond Mill and was a lifelong farmer, a logger for forty-five years and a bus driver for fifteen years at Richards school. Mr. Fox served on the Richards school board for many years; he helped with the building of West Plains High School, Dora School and Richards school. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, bluegrass festivals, watching or listening to Kansas City Royals and St. Louis Cardinals baseball. Melvin loved storytelling and travelling. Mr. Fox was a member of New Liberty Baptist Church, where he served as a Deacon. A quote from Melvin ….."We are allowed three score and ten, and I'm living on borrowed time"
He is survived by five children, Donna Newberry and husband, Noble, West Plains, Missouri, Kelvin Fox and wife, Sharon, Dora, Missouri, Denzil Fox and wife, Vicky, Vanzant, Missouri, Lesa Hall and friend, Micky Hall, West Plains, Missouri and Kim Burtchett and husband, Derrick, Pomona, Missouri; fifteen grandchildren, Brad, Mike, Craig, Stacey, Shelley, Charity, Candace, Chelsea, Dylan, Shaina, Shelbi, Shanda, John, Michael and Melissa; twenty-eight great-grandchildren and two on the way, Brett, Jacob, Keegan, Alyssa, Chloe, Kaylynn, Blain, Cheylea, Parker, Bryant, Heston, Jayden, Lincoln, Gracyn, Paige, Sidney, Maddie, Owen, Lexie, Brylon, Braxton, Amerie, Wyatt, Jackie, Zechariah, Eleazar, Olivia and Brayson; one brother, Darrell Fox, West Plains; one sister, Phyllis Hollingsworth, Gainesville, Missouri; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
His parents, wife, three brothers, Herman, Hollis and Riley Fox, one infant sister, Lillian Fox, one sister, Velmas Collins and special friend, Mitch Lovins, preceded him in death.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be in the Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Ledbetter Cemetery or Veterans Honor Guard and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.