Ralph "Pete" Fox

Ralph "Pete" Fox, 99, of Higginsville, Missouri died on Thursday, June 8, 2017, at Meyer Care Center in Higginsville. Born Wednesday, October 31, 1917 in Higginsville, Missouri, he was the son of the late William Fox and the late Ella Brown Fox. Pete lived all his life in Higginsville and graduated from Higginsville High School in 1935. In 1937 he signed a contract as a pitcher with a minor league baseball team, the Yankees, from Rogers, Arkansas. His baseball career ended when drafted into the United States Army in 1942. He served as a Tec 5, received two Bronze Stars during his time in the service and was honorably discharged in 1945. He and Anna Lee Doss were married on October 22, 1951, she preceded him in death on June 9, 2013. Also preceded in death is one brother, Forrest Jack Fox, one sister, Florence Fox Wymore and one great granddaughter, Trinity Leann Johnson. Pete worked as a farmer most of life although also drove a school bus for the Fuchs Bus Company, worked at Leahy Manufacturing Company and worked for the City of Higginsville in the park department. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and a lifetime member of the American Legion Post #223. Surviving is one son, Charlie (Berlinda) Fox of Texas City, TX; one daughter, Carol (David) Russell of Higginsville, MO; 9 grandchildren, Shawn (Robyn) Fox, Shannon Johnson, Kelly (Clint) Weigand, Megan Fox, Charlie Jo Fox, Jake (Jessica) Russell, Kevin (Melissa) Russell, Luke (Angela) Russell, Marcus (Katie) Russell, 18 great grandchildren, Dylan, Lyric, Zane and Eiley Russell, David Allen and Makenna Russell, Nora Russell, Logan & Karter Russell, Cole Zackary, Ayden and Carmen Connor, Blake (Avery) Fox, Hunter Johnson, Colie and Paisley Weigand and Liam Fox; and one nephew, Bill Wymore. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, at First Baptist Church with the Dr. Greg Fine officiating. Pallbearers are Kevin Russell, Luke Russell, Marcus Russell, Clint Weigand, David Allen Russell and Justin Salyer. Interment will be in Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Higginsville, MO. The family will receive friends from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, June 12, 2017, at Hoefer Funeral Home, 1600 Main St., Higginsville, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be sent to American Legion Post #223 Higginsville, MO 64037. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.hoeferfuneralhome.com

Ralph "Pete" Fox

October 31, 1917 - June 8, 2017