Rufus Fox Obituary

Rufus Alexander Fox, Jr of Atlantic Beach, FL passed away 04.27.2025 to join his wife, Dolores Fox and son, Rufus Alexander Fox III (aka Alex) in our Father’s Kingdom!

Born in Fort Pierce, Florida, February 23, 1941. He was the second child of seven children born to Rufus and Iris Fox. At a very young age, Rufus was a family provider. He and his two brothers formed their own business selling goods and services to surrounding families in Fort Pierce. He attended Lincoln Academy High School and played on the high school football team. Rufus joined the United States Navy in 1959, where he met his wife, Dolores ‘Dee’ at Great Lakes Naval Station in Chicago, IL. They married in Detroit, MI in 1960 and remained married (64 years) until death departed. In 1967-1971, Rufus served in the Vietnam War within the Naval Intelligence Division. During his tenure in the military, he served as a Drug and Alcohol Counselor and well as Leadership Development Facilitator. He was a highly decorated veteran earning many medals and accommodations including the Navy Achievement Medal / Gold Star, Seven Good Conduct Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Navy Unit Commendation, 3rd Silver Wreath Award, Navy Commendation Medal/Gold Stat and several letters of appreciation. Rufus retired his career with the U.S. Navy in 1988 as YNCS Sr. Chief.

Rufus and Dee had four children, Delores Marie, Darlene ‘Tina’, Dorothy ‘Marty’, and Rufus ‘Alex’. They have 11 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. Rufus was a ‘Family’ man, post-retirement, he never missed an opportunity to attend his grandchildren birthday events, baseball, football and soccer games, high school graduations in FL, TX and LA and travel miles to attend college graduation in Wooster, OH and United States Airforce Academy graduation in Colorado Spring, Co. Not to mention attending every Christmas holiday to entertain a host of family members and friends. Rufus was proceeded in death by his wife, Dolores Marie (2023) and his son Rufus ‘Alex’ (2020) as well as his parents, Rufus N. (1975) and Iris C. (1995), brothers and sister, Edward B. (1997), Robert G.(2017), Christopher C. (1997) and Ruth E.(2008). He is survived by his siblings Rev. Canon Dr. Ronald Fox and Juanita Fox-Harrell, his daughters, Delores Marie (Larry), Darlene ‘Tina’ and Dorothy ‘Marty’.

A visitation and wake service will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, May 7, 2025 in Quinn Shalz Funeral Home 3600 3rd Street South, Jacksonville Beach, FL 32225.

A  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Father Ron Camardo at 12:00 p.m., Thursday, May 8, 2025 in St. John the Baptist Catholic Church at 2400 Mayport Road, Atlantic Beach FL, 32233.

The committal service with Navy Military Honors will take place @ 9:30 a.m. Friday, May 9, 2025 at Jacksonville National Cemetery located at 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL 32218.