Walter A Fox 1940-2004

FOX, IRWIN, FISCHER, HUMPHREYS

Posted By: Connie Swearingen (email)
Date: 4/30/2009 at 19:14:26

Mapleton Press
18 March 2004

Walter A. Fox, age 63 of Turin, Iowa, died Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at a Sioux City hospital.
Walt was born November 8, 1940 in Basin, Wyoming. He was raised near Castana, Iowa, by loving grandparents Walter A. and Lillian (Irwin) Fischer.

He graduated from Castana High School in 1959. He married Faye Byriel December 2, 1961. Together they began farming the Arcola Farm. He served in the 185th Air National Guard 1961-1967 as a welder and machinist. He expressed his entrepreneurial spirit operating Fox Implement as a chain saw dealer. Several of his chain saw carvings still grace the yards of family and friends. Walt remained on the Arcola Farm, committed to the land, planting trees and windbreaks, raising livestock and utilizing innovative soil conservation methods for true stewardship of the Loess Hills which he loved.

Walt's primary focus in life was to preserve, for future generations, the Arcola family farm which had been established in 1878 by his great-grandparents, George and Mary (Humphreys) Fischer.

Always a quick wit and eager to laugh at, or tell a good story, Walt kept life interesting for his many friends and extended family. He was blessed with an appreciation for family and friends, taking time in life to savor its special moments. He was affectionately known by his grandchildren as "Big Pa".

He was a member of the American Legion of Turin, Vesper Lodge #223 AF & AM and Queen Esther Chapter #222 OES. He as a 4-H leader, NFO member, Sunday School teacher and member of Dana College's wrestling team.

Survivors include his wife, Faye; a daughter, Chere' Fox O'Reilly and her husband, Bret; a son Bo Fox and his wife, Mali; nine grandchildren, Luke, Faye, Sara, Sean and Liam O'Reilly, Scott, Cora, Jake and Craig Fox; two sisters, Deann Terrill of Seattle, Washington and Sandy Speiser and her husband, Doug of Garden Ridge, Texas; his step-mother, Bette Fox of Santa Fe Springs, California; a dear cousin, Jeanne Irwin of Omaha, Nebraska, and his extended Byriel family of mother Marie and sisters, Donna, Jo, Phyl and their families, including many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and great-nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harry C. Fox; grandparents, Walt and Lillian Fischer; father-in-law, Belmont Byriel; infant grandson, Ray Henry O'Reilly; an uncle Lee Irwin and very special cousin, W.G. "Bill" Irwin.

Funeral services were 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 15, 2004 at Rush Family Chapel in Onawa, Iowa with Pastor Chuck Layton officiating. Music selections were "Daddy's Hands" and "Grandpa, Tell Me About The Good Old Days". Burial was in Belvidere Cemetery in Turin. Visitation was from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Sunday with a Masonic service at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. The family was present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

Casket bearers were Mike Lage, Rusty Collison, Bill Adams, Dave Maule, Leland Hathaway, Bernie Erickson, Larry Teel, and Terry Nielsen. Honorary bearers were Kenny Hansen, Fran Jordan, Harvey Hanson, Billy Hathaway, Roger Melby, Barry Erickson, Jr. Wickersham and Oscar Sandvold.

Arrangements were made under the direction of Rush Family Care Service in Onawa.