FORD WAYNE FOX passes away January 26, 2023

 

Ford Fox, Class of '65

Obituary

Ford Wayne Fox passed away on January 26, 2023. He was born in Tampa, Florida on March 19, 1947, to Wayne Aubrey Fox and Dorothy Inez Keeler. As a teen living in Italy, he learned to play classical guitar. He joined the Army in 1966 as an infantryman and, after Basic and Advanced Individual Training and Airborne School, he was sent to Vietnam with the 1st /327, 101st Airborne Division. He served three tours there, first with the 101st and then as an advisor to the Vietnamese Airborne. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Air Medal, the Purple Heart Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, the Amy Commendation Medal, the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and Vietnamese Jump Wings. Upon completion of his combat tours, he returned to San Antonio where he married the love of his life, Susan D. Ricks, and was selected for Officer Candidate School in 1969. He was commissioned by 2LT Susan R. Fox in 1970 and served as a Special Forces Officer, a Team Executive Officer and Commander until 1975. He then transitioned as a Special Forces Individual Mobilization Augmentee from 1975 until his retirement in 1989 serving in numerous positions culminating in assignment to the NATO Counterpart and Contingency Training Command in Europe. Between mobilization assignments, he served from 1975 to 1978 as Detective Sergeant with the Universal City Police Department. He retired from the Army Reserve as a Major in 1989 with over 23 years of honorable service. During a hiatus from police work, he earned his private pilot's license. From 1987 to 1993, he served as a Detective with the Harker Heights Police Department investigating crimes against children and crimes of sexual assault, Texas Certified Forensic Hypnotist and Senior Intoxolizer. During this assignment, he was selected as the 1991 Outstanding Police Officer of the Year. He served from 1993 to 1995 with the San Antonio Airport Police Department. During his many travels with his wife, he supported her through community soldier and family involvement at her numerous assignments. He was appointed as an honorary Admiral in the Texas Navy by then Governor Rick Perry in 2003. Ford and Susan were married over 53 years and shared a love of boating, saltwater fishing, and cruising.

He is preceded in death by his parents and brother, Alan K. Fox. He is survived by his wife, Col. (ret) Susan Ricks Fox. Children, Keith Wayne Fox, Sr. and Kimberly Patrice Fox; Grandson, Keith Wayne Fox, Jr.; Siblings, Terry James Fox (Barbara) and Darlene Fox Means (James).

In lieu of flowers, donations to the AMEDD Museum Foundation are requested.

To view the livestream for Mr. Fox service click here

GRAVESIDE SERVICE

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2023

1:00 PM

FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

1520 HARRY WURZBACH

Condolences may be sent via email to his sister, Darlene

Darlene Fox Means, Class of '74

dmeans@austin.rr.com