Dr. Kenneth Lee Fox, of Robinson, Texas, left this world peacefully and was joyously welcomed into his heavenly home Thursday morning, January 5, 2017, at the age of 90.

Ken was born on Christmas Day, December 25, 1926 in Eldorado, Oklahoma. He had just enjoyed a wonderful 90th birthday party with family and friends this past Christmas.

Ken grew up on a farm and in town in Eldorado, and joined the United States Army in December, 1944. He served as part of the occupation forces in Japan following the end of World War II. He met Beth Withrow at the church where he taught Sunday School and Beth’s father was the pastor. They were married on November 23, 1952, and celebrated their 64th anniversary this past November.

Ken began college at Cameron College in Lawton, Oklahoma, and then transferred to Baylor University where he earned a Bachelor degree in Greek, Religion, and Sociology, and a Master of Arts in Economics with a concentration in Accounting. While a student at Baylor he worked as the office manager for Triple-X Rootbeer, and loved to share stories about those experiences, particularly delivering drinks to the kitchens of popular restaurants in town – he always knew which restaurant to avoid eating at! He obtained his CPA license and worked with the accounting firm of Patillo and Wilcox in Waco, and later with W.O. Ligon in Fort Worth. Always a passionate advocate for education, Ken decided to accept an opportunity to teach at Louisiana College in 1958 where he became the head of the business department. While he was there he decided to pursue his PhD, and after earning his doctorate in accounting from the University of Illinois in 1966, he was on the faculty first at Louisiana Tech University and later Texas Tech University. In 1969 the family moved to Manhattan, Kansas where he accepted a position in the accounting department with Kansas State University. He retired as a professor emeritus in 1988 but continued to teach part-time for several years. He published a textbook on Auditing which was used for many years, co-authored other textbooks, and had several other publications. He was also inducted into the Hall of Fame for the Department of Accounting at Kansas State. Two Scholarships were established in his name by his former students, colleagues, and friends at Kansas State University when he retired. While in Manhattan, Ken was very active in the community and at College Heights Baptist Church.

In 2001, Ken and Beth moved to Robinson, Texas to be closer to their children and grandchildren. He remained active at Meadowbrook Baptist Church, and greatly loved to attend all church, school, and sport activities of his grandchildren as they grew.

Ken was preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Charlotte Fox; his sister, Olive Fox Richeson; and his infant brother, Donald Fox.

He is survived by his wife, Beth; children, Nancy Fox Sterrett and husband, Ross, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, Terry Fox and his wife, Anna, of Robinson, Texas, Randy Fox and his wife, Caryn, of Laredo, Texas; grandchildren, Jennifer Sterrett Payne and her husband, Barry, of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, Jacqi Sterrett of Mount Juliet, Tennessee, Ryan Fox, Jonah Fox, and Sarah Fox of Robinson, Texas, and April and Randy Kenneth Fox of Laredo, Texas; and great-grandson Aiden Sterrett of Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m., Friday, January 6, 2017, at OakCrest Funeral Home in Waco. A Celebration of Life service will be at 11 a.m., Saturday, January 7, 2017, at Meadowbrook Baptist Church in Robinson. As Ken’s favorite color was purple, his family would love his friends to consider wearing purple to the service. Interment will be Monday, January 9, at the Eldorado Cemetery in Eldorado, Oklahoma.

Memorials can be made to the Meadowbrook Baptist Church building fund, or the Dr. Ken Fox Business Administration Scholarship through the Kansas State University Foundation.

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