George Hill Fox, beloved husband and father, passed away suddenly on October 23, 2014.

Born in McComb, Mississippi on June 17, 1952, he was a strong leader with wit and humor, achieving everything he set out to do. As a loyal best friend and devoted father to his son's racing and daughter's music, he will be missed by all.

George graduated from Pass Christian High School on the Gulf Coast of Mississippi after many moves as an Air Force dependent. He earned a Bachelor's Degree from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1974, and on the day of his graduation he raised his hand to swear in at a Marine Officer intake ceremony. Completing flight school training at OCS in Pensacola, Florida, he was then stationed at Yuma, Arizona for RF-4 navigator training, and after that at the Marine Corps Air Station in Tustin, California. He met his future bride, Kathy, while stationed there, and they were married June 3, 1978, in Irvine, California. George Jr. soon followed in 1979, and Alice Rebecca was born in 1981.

In 1981, George changed services to become an Air Force navigator in C-130's. While on Active Duty, he participated in the 1983 Operation Urgent Fury in Grenada; the Panamian Crisis over Christmas in December 1989; Operation Desert Shield in Iraq just prior to Desert Storm; and was ordered to Aviano, Italy for the Bosnian conflict in 1992. At all times in his 20-year military career, he navigated planes on surveillance missions only. During that time, he completed his Mater's in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle University, retiring in 1994 at the rank of Major. The family moved to Flagstaff in 1995, and George retired from FedEx after 7 years, and from NAU as Assistant Director of Athletic Operations after 12 years, a place he loved to call home.

George was preceded in death by his daughter, Alice Rebecca Fox in 2008, his mother Norma Virginia (Vest) Fox in 1993, and his father Versie Eugene Fox in 1991. He is survived by his wife of 36 years Kathryn Jean (Preston) Fox, son George Fox Jr., his sisters Becky Baker of Enid, Oklahoma, Libby Webber of Ft. Collins, Colorado, Mary Jane Fox of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Military Honors services and a Visitation and Memorial were held October 25, 2014, at Norvel Owns Mortuary. Anyone wishing to remember George with a donation can contact Wells Fargo Bank to make a deposit to the Alice Fox Music Scholarship account ending in 7721, or else donate to the Wounded Warrior Project online. Please let us know how you are doing by posing messages to the family on the George Fox (Sr.) Facebook page, or at norvelowensmortuary.com in his name.

Semper Fi, George…We Love You Always…Rest in Peace.

Services will begin at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 26, at Norvel Owens Mortuary, 914 E. Route 66, Flagstaff. A visitation will be held after the services until 7 p.m.