Joel Karnick
Arthur Allwin Fox, age 100, of Phillips, Wisconsin, died on September 18th, 2024, at his home, surrounded by family and friends.
Art was born at home on October 19th, 1923, (delivered by his paternal grandmother, Emma Fox, the area midwife), in the township of Elk, Phillips, Wisconsin, to Monroe and Jennie (Norum) Fox. His elementary schooling was at Arbutus Hill School in the Town of Elk, through 8th grade and he graduated from Phillips High School in 1940. He graduated from Price County Normal and taught school briefly. Art joined the ranks of millions of other young men and women across the nation when he enlisted in the Army Air Corps shortly after the start of World War II. On completion of Officer/Pilot training, he received his commission and silver wings as a Combat Fighter Pilot. Art went on to honorably serve his country for 26 years, and served with distinction in WWII, Korea and Viet Nam, retiring at the rank of Lieutenant Colonel from the US Air Force in 1966 and returning home to Phillips.
Art married his high school sweetheart, Hallie Stewart on July 24th, 1943, in Dennison, TX, where Art was in pilot training. Art and Hallie celebrated their 80th wedding anniversary in July of 2023. They were each other’s “life-long song of love” in addition to loving Jesus, and were blessed with four children: Gregory, Melvin, Karen, and Tamara.
While in the Air Force, the family traveled to many locations, including Panama and Canada. In October of 1961, tragedy struck when Melvin and Karen were killed in a school bus accident in Ontario, Canada, where Art was commander of a NATO radar station. From 1968 to 1978, Art and Hallie joined forces with Art’s brother and sister-in-law, Robert and Virginia Fox, to run the Sears Catalog Merchant Store and Deep Rock Gas Station on the south end of Phillips. In 1978, Art settled down to semi-retirement, continuing to grow a big organic garden, dancing (a special joy with Hallie!), logging, traveling, and enjoying the blessings of family and friends that he loved so dearly.
After receiving Jesus as his Savior in 1985, one of Art’s passions was studying, memorizing and teaching God’s Word and sharing that Word with others. He led Bible study on a regular basis at home and at church. As age took its toll and even sight was taken with macular degeneration, you would still watch the years visibly melt away every time he shared God’s Word; his absolute joy and love for Jesus shining through like a beacon of light!
Art and Hallie were able to end life’s journey at home, due to the dedicated and loving care of “heaven sent angels”, who were their in-home caregivers since January of 2023. These “angels” were also a balm to Art, listening and talking many memories with him after losing Hallie in September of 2023. Our family has been so blessed!
Art is survived by is survived by his daughter Tamara (Robert) Brandt of Phillips, WI, WI, daughter-in-law Rungsri (Gregory) Fox of Menominee WI, sister, Christine (Robert) Stratton of Appleton, grandson-in-law, Steve (Dawn) VanCamp of Rochester MN, granddaughter Katrina (Darren) McGaffey of Byron MN, grandson Jeffrey Davidson of Mosinee WI, granddaughter Rachel (Chris) Babcock of Mount Horeb WI, and granddaughter Chotima Phan U Kam of Menominee WI, great-grandchildren, Megan McGaffey, Cassandra Davidson, Oliver Babcock, Jeremiah Davidson, Theodore Babcock, Joshua Davidson, Josiah Davidson, daughter-in-law Diane Burger of Rochester MN, daughter-in-law Valerie Hess of Stevens Point WI, son-in-law Sumner Davidson of Baraboo WI, granddaughter-in-law, Amber Wegner of Stratford WI, and many nieces and nephews.
Art was preceded in death by his parents, Monroe and Jenny Fox, children Gregory, Melvin, and Karen Fox, granddaughter Wendy (Fox) VanCamp, brother, Robert Fox and sisters’, Edith (Fox) Brower and Dorothy (Fox) Cork.
Visitation will be Friday, Sep. 27th, 6-8pm at 1st Baptist Church, 426 Flambeau Ave, Phillips. Funeral Services, (preceded by viewing at 10am), will be Saturday, Sep. 28th at 11am at 1st Baptist Church also. Burial with military honors will take place at Lakeside Two Cemetery following the service. A lunch will follow at 1st Baptist Church. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Art’s name to Northwoods Living Hope Women’s Shelter in Phillips, WI., P.O. Box 207, Phillips, WI 54555. Heindl Nimsgern Funeral Home is assisting the family.
