Jerome Patrick Fox

Jerome “Jerry” Patrick Fox, age 86, of Detroit Lakes died on July 31, 2024, of complications from heart surgery.

Jerry was born in Fargo, ND on August 17, 1937, to John and Margaret (McNulty) Fox, but the family moved to Detroit Lakes when Jerry was just an infant. He went on to excel in high school sports for the Detroit Lakes Lakers. Jerry received a scholarship for both football and hockey at the University of North Dakota. While there, Jerry studied business and graduated from UND with a B.S. Degree in Business Administration in 1959 which was also the year Jerry and the Fighting Sioux Hockey Team won the National Championship. 

 Following graduation, Jerry entered the U.S. Navy, fulfilling his lifelong ambition of becoming a pilot. Jerry flew transport aircraft including many trips to Vietnam during his 5 years of service. After leaving the Navy, Jerry then flew for Pan American Airways, first flying the 707 and upon his promotion to Captain, he flew the 747. Jerry spent 27 wonderful years with Pan Am, seeing the world and doing what he loved. Although Jerry was not ready to retire, he did so in 1997 after flying for three years at Atlas Air.

Jerry especially enjoyed hunting and fishing, and for many years he spent his vacations as a guide at an elk hunting camp in the mountains of Montana. He was an avid sports fan making sure he always followed his beloved “Fighting Sioux” football and hockey teams. He also played semi-pro hockey for the Fresno Falcons in California when he wasn’t honoring his flying commitments.

Jerry was also known for taking his nephews to hockey camp during the summer, a treasured memory still recalled today. Time spent with Uncle Jerry was cherished and full of adventure, life lessons and love. 

Upon retiring, Jerry could have lived anywhere in the country. However, Jerry chose to live in the town he grew up in and loved. Since he could not entirely give up the driver’s seat, he drove a sugar beet truck during harvest season. Jerry continued his camaraderie with friends by playing golf rounds at the DLCC. (He especially liked the “talk” following.) Jerry loved exercising and being social at the DL Community Center Exercise Facility where you could find him most mornings. 

After a lifetime as a jet-setting bachelor, Jerry was reacquainted in 1997 to former DL native Barbara Lynch at a high school reunion. It was clear to everyone how the two became smitten, and Jerry and Barb were united in marriage on August 28, 1999, at St. Mary’s of the Lake Catholic Church. Jerry and Barb took numerous trips around the country and the world exploring places, friends, and family together. But one of Jerry’s favorite things to do was to sit with Barb in the evening and look at Little Detroit Lake while enjoying a glass of wine. 

Jerry embraced Barb’s adult children and became Grandpa Jerry to his grandchildren, teaching them how to drive a boat and fish from the dock. Jerry exemplified an unwavering faith, kindness to all, generosity, the gift of humor, the spirit of adventure, and a deep and committed love for Barb, or Barbie, as he affectionately called her. Jerry has friends not only in Detroit Lakes but all over the world. Jerry Fox, Dad, Grandpa, Brother, Uncle, Friend, and faithful servant, will be missed terribly, never, ever forgotten, and always loved. 

Jerry is survived by his wife, Barbara and daughters; Sarah Brooks and grandson, Josh (Carmen), granddaughter Naomi and grandson Aaron; Andrea Grizzle (John Martin) and her granddaughter, Alexandra (Samuel) Cappellanti; Beth (Phil) Celestini and granddaughter, Racquel; and grandson, Miles Jenson; Brother-in-law, Jack (Muriel) Lynch and niece Lindsay (Sebastian Motta), Sister-in-law, Marie, and niece Colleen (Scott) Swartz; nephews John and Patrick (Lindsay); niece Kathleen (Tim) Dolezal; nephew Timothy (Nicole) and niece Maureen, brother, Chuck (Carolyn) Fox and nephew, Michael (Melissa) and niece Jessica Fox and numerous great nieces, great nephews, and cousins. 

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, brother Tom, father-in-law Woodrow, and daughter, Jackie.

Memorials are preferred to the Detroit Lakes High School Athletic Association, St. Mary’s of the Lakes Catholic Church, or the Lakes Crisis and Resource Center.

A visitation will be held on Friday, August 30, 2024, from 3-5 pm at West-Kjos Funeral Home in Detroit Lakes. A Celebration of Life will be held at St. Mary’s of the Lakes Catholic Church in Detroit Lakes at 11 am on Saturday, August 31, 2024.