James Alton Fox

James Alton Fox, 85, of Oak Hill Passed away on January 8, 2025, at Bowers Hospice House in Cranberry, WV. James was born at home to Raymond Jackson Fox and Ruby Helen Duncan Fox of Oak Hill, WV.  James’s work history was as a Truck Driver/Mechanic for Ken Carrol Trucking. In the coal mining industry as a Truck Driver/Tipple Operator for Hawk’s Nest Mining and Cyprus Coal.  James was a graduate of Collins High School and a member of the US Army 82 Airborne Unit from 1958-1961. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. He was proud to tell you he had 54 jumps.  James was a lifelong member of The First Brethren Church of Oak Hill.  In his younger days, James was an amateur boxer, making his way to the Golden Gloves Boxing Tournaments in WV, but an unforeseen circumstance kept him from attending. He loved the sport dearly.  James was a member of the Oak Hill Fire Department for over 60 years. He loved serving on the fire department with all of his heart. He truly missed it when he became inactive and talked about it on a regular basis.  He also loved to play Santa Claus in the 1970’s through the early 2000’s, he would visit the homes of friends and others who heard of him to make their children’s day. He also played Santa for the OHFD parties and parades, and was a Big Lots Santa for a few years as well.  In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Loren Jackson Fox Sr. and Paul D. Fox; a sister, Helen Ann Fox Quinn; and a son, James “Jamie” Ray Fox.  Those left to remember him fondly are his wife, Brenda Joyce Tufts Fox; a daughter, Pamela R. Fox Vance (Chuck); a sister, Linda Gail Fox; grandchildren, Mary E. Fox Bowman (Scott), Kimberly D. Fox Butner (Jason), Kelly E. Fox Helton (Ronald), Benjamin James Fox, Hannah L Fox Caraballo (James), Amanda Joyce Vance Bauer (William), and Charles Casey Vance; great-grandchildren, Brianna Bowman (Ryan Byrne), Isaiah Bowman (Emily), MacKenzie Sigman (Carson Morris), Coldon Butner, Ronald Helton II, Avery Helton, Theodore Caraballo, Silas Bauer, and Elias Bauer; and many nieces and nephews.  James loved his family with abandon. He especially loved and doted over each grand and great-grandchild. He dedicated himself selflessly to his family, church, and community. He leaves behind a legacy of a family who had learned to love and take care of each other regardless. We will never truly know how many wives or girlfriends that he jokingly had, lol. If you know him, you know!  A special thank you to all the Home Health nurses and therapists, the Bowers Hospice care team for their exemplary care. He loved you all, Randi, Cassie, Kayla, Tosha, and so many others! What you do is amazing.  Services will be held at 3:00 PM, Sunday, January 12, 2025, at The First Brethren Church of Oak Hill with Pastor Mike Meadows officiating. Entombment will follow at High Lawn Memorial Park in Oak Hill.  Friends may call on the family at 2:30 PM, Sunday, January 12, 2025, at The First Brethren Church in Oak Hill.  Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.highlawnfuneralhome.com.