Warner Holly Fox passed from this life on Wednesday, November 2, 2011 at the St. John Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of ninety-three. Warner was born on March 31, 1918 in Ozark County, Missouri; the son of Jess William and Sarah Margaret (Crider) Fox.
Warner moved with his family at an early age to Cleveland where he attended Fox school near Boston Pool in rural Osage County. Upon completion of his education, Warner moved to Pampa, Texas where he started working in the oilfields of the Texas Panhandle. In 1939, he moved to Grayville, Illinois accepting a position as a derrick hand on a drilling rig. On October 18, 1939, Warner was married to Zelpha Francis Spencer. After their marriage, the couple made their home in Grayville for a couple of years before moving to Plainview, Kansas. In 1943, Warner and Zelpha moved their family to Cleveland, Oklahoma as Warner began farming and ranching in Pawnee County. After a short stint with Johnson Oil and Refinery and building stock ponds for the Veterans Administration, Warner sold many bales of Johnson grass hay to purchase a pistol so he could accept a position with the Cleveland Police Department working for his uncle, Andy Fox in 1954.
Shortly after gaining employment with the Cleveland Police Department, Warner was promoted to the position of Chief of Police which he held for nearly twenty-six years, retiring in 1980. After returning to Cleveland, Warner and Zelpha made their home in the Boston Pool area until they built their home south of Cleveland in 1964.
Throughout his career, Warner was a beloved and respected member of the Cleveland community. His reputation as a fair and honest officer of the law was evident in his dealings with the public in Cleveland and Pawnee County. Additionally, he remained active in farming and ranching of cattle and pigs and was a member of the Cleveland Masonic Lodge where he achieved his 32nd degree. He loved to fish and after his retirement became an accomplished woodworking artist. Warner was steadfast in his principals not to sell any of his woodworking pieces; rather he received great joy by providing them to his family and friends. Projects included bi-wing airplanes large enough for small children, fifty-four teeter totters, Model T trucks in which he utilized valve stems for radiator caps and shotgun brass for wheel covers. Additionally, he made napkin holders for the Terlton Senior Citizen’s center, ornate ducks out of cedar wood blocks, and birdhouses. He made over thirty bird feeders for the Abilene State School for the Handicapped and a beautiful china cabinet which was compared to the finest of furniture. One of his favorite things to do was to go to “the music” at the Senior Center in Terlton on Thursday nights. He also enjoyed eating at surrounding senior centers and was often accompanied by two special friends, Lucille McCraken and Betty Jones.
Warner is survived by son and his wife, Bobby and Myra Fox of Dripping Springs, Texas; daughter-in-law, Hazel Fox of Mountain Home, Arkansas; a brother and his wife, Lenard and Margaret Fox of Cleveland, Oklahoma; nine grandchildren: Jimmy Fox, Steve Fox, Craig Fox, Bruce Fox, Warner Holly Fox II, Vikki Fox, Deirdre Jeanson, David Fox and Susan Fox; twelve great-grandchildren, Chad and Courtney, Randall and Brittney, Colt and Faxon, Sabrina and Christie, Allyson, Matthew, Ryan and Kathryn; four great-great-grandchildren; niece, Vicki Tinsley; nephew, Riley Norton and other nieces and nephews, relatives and friends; and two special friends, Lucille McCraken and Betty Jones.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Zelpha; son, Jimmie Dale Fox; his parents; two brothers, Riley Fox and Eugene Fox; and three sisters, Eunie Fox, Juanita Fox Garrett and Pauline Miller.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, November 5, 2011 at the Chapman-Black Funeral Home with Willis Morgan officiating. Riley Norton will read the eulogy and perform two of Warner’s favorite hymns. Burial will be at the Woodland Cemetery under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home. Final honors will be rendered by the Tulsa Police Honor Guard.
Chapel Services Saturday November 5, 2011, 10:00 - AM at Chapman-Black Funeral Home Chapel
Burial Saturday November 5, 2011 at Woodland Cemetery
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