Brian Fox

A Life Well Lived

Brian Fox passed away on November 6, 2022 in Indianapolis, IN. He was born in East Lansing, MI on July 28, 1940, to his parents William Kenneth Fox and Margaret Helen (Shaw) Fox. Most of Brian’s childhood was in Waukegan, IL where he had many fond memories of family singing around the piano. After he graduated from Waukegan High School, Brian would earn his Bachelors in Food Production and Management from Purdue University. He enlisted in the army for 20 plus years. Brian married after 10 years of army life to an army nurse. They were married 17 years, but were not blessed with children. While in the Service, he also earned a Master’s in Equipment Layout and Design. During his army career as a Dietician Officer, Administrator and accomplished Chef, he accredited his love for different cultures, travel and cuisines to having lived or traveled within Japan, Okinawa, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, France, and Austria plus being stationed  throughout the States. Sightseeing and interacting with those different cultures offered him many opportunities to broaden his perspectives and horizons (and his love for people). During his life, Brian received many awards. Notably, in 1977 Governor Julian M. Carroll of the Commonwealth of Kentucky commissioned Brian K. Fox, a Kentucky Colonel. From grade school and throughout his life, Brian was very artistic in painting, music, and a published poet. He has received many awards for his poetry.

Since, retiring from the Army in 1983, Brian worked for several government contractors, as well as VA Medical Facilities. In 1990, Brian became single again and due to medical problems, went into semi-retirement working for the U.S. Census.  He lived for 13 years in Champaign-Urbana, IL. The highlight was the people he was privileged to work with at Census. Brian would organize the gatherings for potlucks, and gab sessions (his favorites!).  After his close friend of 20 years, Harriet Lindsey passed, Brian moved to Indianapolis, IN to be closer to family. The past four years, he has lived at Northridge Gracious Living where he has enjoyed being in the thick of things, calling Bingo, playing cards, Wii Bowling, Aggravation, and any opportunity to dress up and join the many activities offered. He would also participate in karaoke nights as well as lead singing in the Northridge Chapel. He enjoyed singing throughout his life. During his college days, he was a member of the Purdue Glee Club. Above all else, he loved his family.

Brian is survived by many loving family members, including his brother, Byron Fox; step sister, Hillary (Ray) Gaebler; his nieces and nephews, Christine (John) Hamblen, Robert (Brenda) Gibson, Karin (David Palencia) Gibson, Brittney Gibson, Breanne (Steve) Ryan, and Bryce Gibson; his cousins, Katherine (Dennis) Zeller, William (Tammie) Shaw, James (Mary) Shaw, Margaret (Fenton) Bonnice, Thomas (Cqrol) Gilkey, and Sandra Gilkey; and partner in crime and great friend Gary Kaufman…plus many additional cousins and his Northridge family. He is preceded in passing by his parents; his siblings, Mary Frances Gibson, and Bruce Fox; his uncles and aunts, Robert and Susan Shaw; James and Pauline Shaw and his dear friend, Harriette Lindsey.

In lieu of flowers, please make contributions to Disabled American Veterans, 170 Airport Pkwy, Suite A, Greenwood, Indiana 46143.