Frederick George Fox was born to Frederick LeRoy and Ruth Jesse Houck Fox on February 14, 1942, in Wausau, Wisconsin. Born to a family rooted in nature and the wonders of the outdoors, he and his younger brother spent their childhood playing in the woods, fishing, skiing, and visiting their maternal grandparents’ farm in Iowa. After high school, Freddie graduated from the University of Wisconsin - Madison in 1965 with a degree in metallurgical engineering.
When the Vietnam War erupted, Fred, motivated by President Kennedy’s “Ask Not What” inaugural address, joined the Peace Corps as part of Group XII. From 1966 to 1968 he volunteered in Thailand focusing on animal and poultry husbandry, and later trained new Peace Corps volunteers in Hawaii.
Driven by his love of skiing, Fred headed west to Colorado after the Peace Corps. He married Nickole Eileen Stoner in 1973, and a year later graduated from the University of Colorado with a master’s degree in urban and regional planning. In 1982 at home in Washington Park, Fred and Nicki welcomed their daughter, Katie, into the world.
During the late ‘70s and early ‘80s Fred began building his passion project – a mountain cabin with grand views of the Gore Range (Shining Mountains) of Colorado. Never complete, Fred spent the rest of his life “tasking” on weekends at “Camp Fred” and almost every fall, Fred, his brother, and close buddies hunted deer and elk near the cabin using horses.
Over the years, Fred built his own business, Foxfire Community Planning and Development, to consult with cities, towns, and developers across Colorado. His work in land use had a significant impact on the development of Superior, Foxfield, and countless small towns. Fred also advised CellularOne during its expansion of cellular sites across the state.
After an introduction from his brother, Fred married his second wife, Lynda Bayless-Underwood, in 1990. Fred, Katie, Lynda, and her daughter, Lisa, enjoyed family road trips to national parks, winters skiing, and summers hiking and rafting at Camp Fred. Although Lynda passed away in 1997, Lisa has forever remained an integral part of the family.
In 2002, Fred visited Katie on her study abroad in Costa Rica, and upon his return attended a cross-country ski weekend at Mt. Princeton where he met and fell in love with Debra Clem. They married in the fall of 2005 at Copper Mountain where they enjoyed many winters skiing with the Over-the-Hill Gang. Matched in their enthusiasm for horses, Fred and Deb enjoyed riding together and caring for Molly B and Socks while the dogs, Riley and later their grand-dog Duke, tried to keep them all in line.
Fred retired from planning at the end of 2017 and shortly thereafter was diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Although devastated by the diagnosis, Fred continued to take each day in stride. For several years he was able to remain active in mind and body despite the progressive nature of the disease. In the last months of his life, he relocated to assisted living where he received thoughtful and skilled care.
On April 8, 2024, as the moon eclipsed the sun, Fred transitioned from this life. He was full of Midwest charm, a strong work ethic, and sharp intelligence. Mild mannered and methodical, Fred was not easily ruffled and always had a plan. And, although subtle at times in his nature, he often surprised you with his thoughtfulness, sense of humor, sincerity, and depth. He will be greatly missed.
Fred is survived by his wife, Debra Clem Fox, his daughter, Katie Fox (Cory) and granddaughter, Reid, his brother Charles Fox (Susan) and Susan’s children (Jason and Brian), his stepdaughter, Lisa Bennett and her children (Kalyn and Ryan).
A Celebration of Life will be held in Evergreen, Colorado on July 26, 2024. Any donations may be made to Colorado Horse Rescue or The Michael J. Fox Foundation in Fred’s honor.