Obituary of Donald George Fox

Donald G. Fox, 84 of 1310 Arredondo Drive, The Villages, Florida passed away peacefully, at home, on Thursday, September 2, 2021.  Don was born in Schenectady, New York on September 14, 1936, to George and Theresa (Nussbaumer) Fox.  His parents were loving people that raised Don to be the compassionate and loving man he empowered.

 

Don graduated from Nott Terrace High School in Schenectady, New York in 1954. He then proceeded to attend Syracuse University also in Schenectady where he majored in Pulp/Paper Engineering with a minor in Polymer Chemistry.  He graduated top in his class with great praise and distinction in 1958.

 

After graduation, Don’s career began with a job as a process engineer for Champion Paper in Hamilton, Ohio.  He spent 4 years testing and developing the viability of disposable packs and gowns for hospitals.

 

Then he got the all-too-familiar “Greetings” letter that he was being drafted into the United States Army.  There he spent 1 year as an Ammunition Specialist -- being responsible for the highly specialized care and management of ammunition, explosives and their components. He spent the next year in field hospitals and testing facilities perfecting disposable packs and gowns, in fact his invention turned out to be Tyvek in later years.

 

After he said “so long” to Uncle Sam, he spent 4 years at Ciba-Geigy in the lab researching and developing unique treatments for various materials being used in hospitals to protect against blood-borne pathogens.

 

 

Then off to Johnson & Johnson where he spent 14 years in Product Development, in part, with non-surgical products such as exam gowns and linens, as well as nonwoven wraps.

 

Ultimately, he joined Kimberly Clark where he retired as a loyal, dedicated and well-respected Research Scientist.  During his 24-year tenure and world-wide travels, Don developed and was awarded numerous patents.

 

Don met and married Carla Gail Fulmore and together they raised a remarkable family (Michael, Carol Ann, Patrick and Matthew).  Don’s dream of retiring and living in Florida’s Friendliest Hometown (The Villages) came to fruition in 1999.  The “Fox’s Den” was constructed and moving day was scheduled!

 

Now his life-long dream began; he lived his life to the fullest, as he so wholeheartedly deserved.  Don was not only a loyal and loving husband, but he was also an incredible father and grandfather as well as a great friend and respected neighbor where he would later come to be loved by all he encountered. 

 

Don freely gave his time and talent to whomever was in need.  He was honored to be a Lay Minister and he volunteered at his beloved church (St. Timothy’s).  He sang in the choir, that which gained him the respect of visiting Rome and singing for Pope John Paul. 

 

Don was not only a proud man but an unbelievably happy man; as well as intellectually sound.  His talents were too many to list and his loss is too devastating to imagine.  He was as much loved ....…as he loved.  

 

The Silver Fox leaves behind his wife, a daughter and 3 sons, as well as his son-in-law Doug Shaltis.  He also leaves behind his beloved grandchildren (Olivia, Misko and Nikolas).

 

Don’s Celebration of Life is being held at Hiers-Baxley Funeral Home (3975 Wedgewood Lane, The Villages, FL) on Friday September 8, 2023, at 10:00, followed by lunch and a ceremony at the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell.

 

 

 

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