Roger Lauren Fox, 89, who came to Florida in the 1960s to forge a career in the emerging aerospace technology industry, died June 11, 2022 at Advent Health Hospital, Tampa, after complications from a fall in his home.
A highly skilled technical writer, Mr. Fox developed manuals and document proposals at Lockheed Martin Corporation and other defense contractors. He worked as a technical writer and supervisor for numerous NASA unmanned launch operations, including its Atlas Centaur and Delta launch vehicles; Biosatellite program; and Saturn V and Apollo ground support programs. Later he was a technical writer for Pershing and Sprint Missile systems, as well as optical systems for the Apache Attack Helicopter. Mr. Fox retired in 1999.
He cherished his wife, Beverly, and Old Blue, his 1988 Honda Gold Wing motorcycle. A kind and soft-spoken man, he was the beloved “unofficial mayor” of his Tampa Palms neighborhood. He shared his knowledge and tools.
Mr. Fox, a Korean War veteran, served aboard the minesweeper U.S.S. Chief in the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy in 1955, Petty Officer 2nd Class. He was a graduate of Monroe High School. He attended the University of Toledo and Wayne State University, Detroit.
Born May 12, 1933, in Monroe, Michigan, he was a son of the late William Calkins Fox and Adelaide nee Hendershot, whose family descended from Robert Henry Hendershot, Civil War Drummer Boy of the Rappahannock.
Roger Fox played classical piano and country guitar. With his genetic gift of perfect pitch, he easily tuned instruments. He was a fan of Andrea Bocelli, Celine Dion, Dolly Parton and WQXR classical music station. He could recount all the dogs and cats in his life, but Maddie, a Jack Russell, was top dog. He liked woodlands and camping in the Appalachian Mountains and Florida Panhandle in an Airstream Flying Cloud.
He celebrated birthdays with dense chocolate cake.
Roger Fox married his first love, Beverly J Gilmore, on August 7, 2009, in Traverse City, Michigan. He claimed their exchange of high school notes taught him how to write. She wrote about their romance in Dunes Review, Literary Journal of Northern Michigan.
He was preceded in death by a brother, Robert, and sister, Margaret Fox Maier.
In addition to his wife, a loving family survives: sons Jeffrey (April) Fox, Jon (Donnie Saxon) Fox, daughter Pamela (Bill) Chambers, stepsons Richard Gilmore Loftus, Nicholas E.D. Gilmore, stepdaughter Liadainn Gilmore. Also, six grandchildren, five step-grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Blount and Curry Funeral Home, Carrollwood is overseeing arrangements. Cremation has taken place.
Roger Fox suffered from skin cancer for four decades. In his memory donations may be made to Moffitt Cancer Center Foundation, 12902 Magnolia Dr., Tampa FL 333612 or a charity of one’s choice.
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