Gene Leon Fox

Gene Leon Fox, 77, passed away Tuesday, November 6, 2018 at William Newton Hospital in Winfield.

Memorial services will be held at 2 P.M. Wednesday, November 14 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Winfield. The family will have a time of visitation from 5-7 PM Thursday, November 8 at the Shelley Family Funeral Home in Winfield. Memorial contributions in Gene’s name can be made to the Trinity Lutheran Church Audio & Video Fund, contributions may be left in care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home – 803 Loomis St. Winfield, KS 67156. 

Gene Leon Fox was born on December 4, 1940 in Enid, OK to Willard and Helen (Schuelein) Fox. He graduated from Kremlin High School in 1957, he later attended business school in Oklahoma City and received an Associate’s degree from St. John’s College in Winfield. Gene was united in marriage with Georgia “Colleen” Maschino on June 17, 1961 at Grace Lutheran Church in Liberal, KS. He worked for many years at Gott Manufacturing as a blow molding specialist, which later was named Rubbermaid. Gene also traveled and worked for other blow molding companies until he retired. Later he drove a school bus and Bladed Roads for the Liberty Township, the last few years he worked for Butlers Brother’s driving a water truck, until he retired in 2015. Gene had a passion for sports and was a referee and coach for many years; he coached baseball from 1971-1980, he refereed soccer for 10 years and started the Winfield Youth soccer program in 1978, he also umpired baseball and was the American Legion team coach for years as well, not excluding the years that he led Trinity Lutheran’s Church league team. Gene also enjoyed antique tractors, he won the 1st place John Deere award at the Hutchinson State Fair on his 1948 John Deere tractor. He then later won third place at the K&O Steam & Gas Engine Show. Gene always treasured the sweet moments with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he loved each and every one of them dearly. Gene was so grateful of the number non-related children that called him Grandpa, as there where many that loved him as a grandpa. One of Gene’s favorite things to do was to relax at the farm and piddle on a tractor, even if there wasn’t anything that needed done at the time he would always find something to do, where there was a tractor grandpa was never far behind he loved his tractors, especially John Deere’s! Gene loved to play pitch with all his friends and family. One thing he always enjoyed and cherished doing was sharing the Lord’s word and his love for Jesus with others. He started a bible study service every Wednesday in the morning at his home at Winfield Senior Living Center and shared the word of God with others that wanted to join in! 

He is survived by his beloved wife Georgia Colleen Fox, daughter Ramona Marie Keesey and husband Michael Keesey, grandchildren: Jason Wayne Keesey, Brian Eugene Keesey, Austin Glenn Keesey and wife Bionca Keesey, Sarah Marie Hall and husband James Hall; great-grandchildren: Brinley LaCole Keesey, Aubrey Grace Keesey, Wyatt Don Keesey, Timmy Eugene Keesey and Barrett Layne Keesey;  sister Joy Pritchard from Enid, sister Martha Louise Sands from Oklahoma City, sister Jenny Arrington from Oklahoma City, and brother John Fox from Cheyenne. Gene is preceded in death by his parents Willard and Helen (Schuelein) Fox, a brother Jim Fox, and his closest friend Jim Crank.

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