Alvin Fox

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- Alvin Ray Fox was born March 11, 1937, and left this world to be with his Lord on Monday, April 13, 2020, at 83 years of age.

Alvin had been a truck driver for many years, which most people had heard stories about, and worked at Golden Cat in Aquilla, Missouri, for many years, a job he was very proud of.

Alvin loved hunting more than just about anything else and was known throughout most of the area for his precise shooting skills. He reloaded shells and traded guns, and most people deferred to his deep and thorough knowledge of firearms.

He was known for his deep love of nature and for his keen sense of humor. He talked often of having only an eighth-grade education, but many may not have known he successfully completed a number of college courses in chemistry for his job when he worked for the City of Marble Hill, a mark of his genuine intelligence. He had an inquisitive mind and liked to try to figure out how to build things just by looking at and studying them. He could most often be found puttering around in his shop or traipsing around in the woods. He had a great sense of humor and enjoyed life to the fullest.

Alvin was devoted to his children, Sandy (Dennis) Keeling of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and Shawn (Tammy) Fox of Scott City. Life will never be the same for them without him. He lost his beloved wife, Mary, of 33 years in 2016 and never really recovered from that loss. He missed her to the day he passed away.

Alvin is also survived by a stepson, James Borders of Bonne Terre, Missouri. Alvin had five grandchildren, Cody Fox of Dexter, Missouri, Ethan and Emma Fox of Scott City, Rachel Keeling Kline of Germantown, Maryland, and Mary Keeling Bishop of Los Angeles; and a stepgranddaughter who he and Mary helped raise for most of her life, Tina (Bob) Cobb of Cape Girardeau. He had five great-grandchildren. Also surviving is a dear friend and sister-in-law, Ellen (Leroy) Lemons of Zalma, Missouri.

Alvin was one of eight children. He was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Beulah Fox, and five of his siblings, Wanda, Mable, Jack, Hazel and David. Surviving siblings are Marilyn (Randy) Sitze of Illinois and Rick (Chris) Fox of Missouri.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be a private graveside service at 2 p.m. today at Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery for the family.

Liley Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.