Harold A. Fox

Harold A. Fox, 88, of Sodus, passed away peacefully Tuesday, September 11, 2007 at his home with his family and friends at his side. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Friday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Rev. James Dibbet officiating. Burial will follow at Mt. Pleasant Cemetery in Sodus, with Military Rites conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Friends may call from 5:00 until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Lakeland Hospice or the charity of the donor’s choice. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mr. Fox was born October 28, 1918 in Scottville, Michigan to Eugene & Maude (Andre) Fox. During the Great Depression, Harold’s family moved to Fairhope, Alabama to find work. He graduated from Fairhope High School in 1937. Harold hitch-hiked to Lansing to attend Michigan State Agricultural College. He served his country in the US Army Air Corp during WWII, attaining the rank of Chief Warrant Officer. On November 2, 1957, he married the former Ilene Newberg in Benton Harbor. Harold owned and operated Fox Fruit Farm on Hillendale Rd. in Sodus for over 60 years. He was a founding member of The International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association, serving on their Board of Directors for many years. Harold was a life member of MACMA, and a former member of Cherry Growers Inc. He served for 12 years on the Sodus Township Board, and was formerly on the Chadwick School Board. In 1961 he received the Farm Management Award from Michigan State University. He traveled extensively world-wide, both personally and representing the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association. Mr. Fox is survived by his wife of nearly 50 years Ilene; his son Frank Fox of Grand Rapids; two daughters-Susan Pries of Stevensville, Mary Fox of Sodus; two granddaughters-Sandra Pries of Coloma, Rachael Pries of St. Joseph; two brothers-Milton (Lois) Fox of St. Joseph, John (Ethel) Fox of Grand Rapids; his sister Mary (Ben) Naumann of Benton Harbor; several nieces & nephews; and his long time farm foreman Joseph Taylor of Sodus. He was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother Millard Fox in 1957.