Josiah 'Joe' J. Fox Jr. , 80
Josiah J. Fox Jr. , "Joe," 80, died peacefully in his sleep on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2005, in Kalispell.
He was born on June 21, 1924, in Centralia, Wash., to Josiah J. and Clara (Maser) Fox.
He graduated from Centralia High School in 1942 and enlisted in the U.S. Army, Aug. 9, 1944, training at Ft. Lewis, Wash. Upon deployment, Joe served as foreman with the 46th Engineer Construction Battalion in Yokohama, Japan, and was honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant.
Upon returning home, Joe attended Northwest Bible College in Seattle, then moved to Bellingham, Wash., where he met and married Jean R. Dyrland at Calvary Temple on June 17, 1947. Five children were born to this union.
Joe was employed for five years at the Cummings' Meridian Market, and retired from the United States Post Office after 30 years of service as a mail carrier in Bellingham. From 1987 until 1994, Joe drove bus for the Bellingham School District. His wife Jean passed away in 1988.
Joe married Jeanette Herbert on Oct. 12, 1996, at Glacier Bible Camp in Hungry Horse. Joe and Jeanette spent summers at their cabin there and worshiped at the Whitefish Assembly of God church. The Foxes wintered in Yuma, Ariz., where they were actively involved with the Foothills Assembly of God church.
Joe will be remembered for the fervency of his love and service for the Lord Jesus Christ, his delight in his large family and many friends, and his kind gentle spirit. He was especially proud that each of his children and several grandchildren have been involved in full-time Christian ministry.
Joe was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jean; three brothers, Macer, Gerald and Frederick; and two sisters, Francis Fox and Zoe Thomas.
Joe is survived by his wife, Jeanette; five children, Robert Fox and his wife, Donna, of Billings, James Fox and his wife, Jill, of Ferndale, Wash., Carla Ness and her husband, Myron of Westport, Wash., Karen Groff and her husband, David, of Lake Stevens, Wash., and Allan Fox and his wife, Kristi, of Coulee City, Wash.; two stepdaughters, Barbara Jones of Sarasota, Fla., and Connie Bunerson of McCall, Idaho. He is also survived by 17 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. Other survivors include a brother Claire "C.J." of Centralia, Wash.; and one sister, Estol Dean of Lacey, Wash.
A memorial service to honor a life well lived will be held 1 p.m. at the King Mountain Church in Bellingham, on Thursday, Feb. 10. Inurnment will be at Moles-Greenacres Cemetery in Ferndale, Wash.
The family suggests that any memorials be sent to Glacier Bible Camp, c/o the Montana District Council of the Assemblies of God, 1000 Overland Avenue, Billings, MT 59102.
Arrangements are under the direction of Johnson Mortuary and Crematory.