[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 11 (Thursday, January 18, 2018)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E57-E58]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RECOGNIZING THE LIFE OF JOHN PAUL FOX

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. TRENT KELLY

                             of mississippi

                    in the house of representatives

                       Thursday, January 18, 2018

  Mr. KELLY of Mississippi. Mr. Speaker, today I rise in memory of John 
Paul Fox who died on December 18, 2017, at his home in Houston, 
Mississippi. Mr. Fox served his fellow citizens during a long and 
exemplary career in the field of law and through public service. He was 
a man known for his ready smile, quick sense of humor, abundant 
kindness, extreme generosity, and devotion to family.
  Mr. Fox was born on December 31, 1933, in Columbiana, Alabama, where 
he graduated from Shelby County High School. He was a standout student 
and athlete. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America and rose to 
the rank of Eagle Scout. While in high school, Mr. Fox worked after 
school and during the summers at a local drug store and for attorney 
``Handy'' Ellis. It was his association with Mr. Ellis that inspired 
him to pursue a career in the field of law.
  Mr. Fox received a football scholarship to the University of Alabama. 
Mr. Fox was also a member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity. He 
graduated with a business degree in 1956, which his family said was 
appropriate because he was known for his entrepreneurial spirit. After 
graduation, Mr. Fox enlisted in the U.S. Army and completed Officer 
Candidate School (OCS). Later, he worked as an adjuster for USF&G in 
Birmingham, Alabama. Prior to moving to Mississippi to attend the 
University of Mississippi School of Law, Mr. Fox met his future wife, 
Marion Miller. They were married in 1959, while he was a law student. 
In 1961, Mr. and Mrs. Fox moved to Houston, where he practiced law. Mr. 
Fox's family said that he embraced practicing law in a small town 
setting because he liked helping people. He also enjoyed the technical 
intrigue of law which he continued to practice until one day prior to 
his death.
  Mr. Fox' s military career continued when he enlisted in the 
Mississippi Army National Guard where he was assigned to the Pontotoc 
division. It was during his service in the National Guard that he 
defended James Meredith, the first African American student admitted to 
the segregated University of Mississippi. Mr. Fox's family said he 
enjoyed telling stories about that six-week assignment which included 
digging a fox hole in the law school dean's yard.
  While practicing law, Mr. Fox entered public service. He served as 
Houston City Attorney. Mr. Fox also served as the attorney for the 
Chickasaw County Board of Supervisors, Chickasaw County Development 
Foundation, and as legal counsel for the State Jaycee President. He was 
also active in the Chickasaw Republican. Party and served as their 
first chairman.
  Mr. Fox is survived by his wife of 58 years, Marion Miller Fox; his 
three children, Elizabeth

[[Page E58]]

Fox Ausbern, Grant Moncrief Fox, and Blakely Fox Fender; his son-in-
law, Terry Keith Ausbern; his daughter-in-law, Sara Martin Fox; and 
son-in-law, Ronald Joseph Fender; his six grandchildren, Allen Gray 
Crosthwait, Wilkes Edward Crosthwait, John Martin Fox, Luke Rivers 
Fender, Marion Elizabeth Ausbern, and William Fox Fender.
  Mr. Fox lived to serve his fellow man. His leadership was an 
inspiration to many. I have often said that great leaders do not 
develop other followers. They develop other leaders. Mr. Fox 
demonstrated this throughout his life. He will always be remembered for 
his devotion to our nation, his community, and above all, to his 
family.

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