Donald Richard Fox, born on September 13, 1943, in Philadelphia, passed away on May 15, 2024, at his home in Leesburg, Florida, following a battle with renal cell cancer. He was 80 years old.
Don was the son of the late Luther Ulysses Fox and Marion Auld MacPherson Fox. He was predeceased by his brother, Robert W. “Duke” Fox. He is survived by his devoted wife of 56 years, Louise Ann Baxter Fox. He leaves behind his children, James (Samantha Kapp) Fox and Luanne Fox (Tony) Sims; his cherished grandchildren, Alice, Louise, Eddie, Francis, and Louis; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews. The beloved dogs of his life included Rusty, Woolsey, Mac, Paco, and Charles.
Don graduated from Central High School in Philadelphia, where he was a member of the city championship swim team. He supported his education by working as a lifeguard and swim coach, eventually earning both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Temple University. Don dedicated 35 years to teaching in the Philadelphia public schools at Simon Muhr School, Mayfair Elementary, Austin Meehan Middle School, and Northeast High School.
In 1967, Don married Louise Ann Baxter, who he called “the greatest woman God ever made.” Together, they built a life filled with love and adventure, retiring to Leesburg, Florida, in 2003. They traveled extensively, exploring the U.S. and abroad.
Don was a lifelong firearms enthusiast, competing in national championship matches at Camp Perry, Ohio. His Scottish heritage was a source of pride; he learned to play the bagpipes and wore a kilt. He was an avid reader of history and poetry, and he had a deep appreciation for dogs, woodcarving, good cigars, well-made knives and guns, old-time country and bluegrass music, and the beauty of nature.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on June 13 in the Pennbrooke Fairways Activity Center in Leesburg, Florida.