Robert B. Fox

Robert B. Fox, 90, of Massillon, died Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016 after a brief illness. Mr. Fox was born in Wallace, W.Va., to the late Zeffie and Nettie Fox. He grew up in Canal Fulton and graduated from Canal Fulton High School, where he lettered in basketball and football. He joined the Army Air Corp. in 1943, where he served as a gunnery instructor. He married Betty J. Hill on Oct. 20, 1946. She preceded him in death on Nov. 4, 2006. He previously worked for C.R. Kurtz in Canal Fulton. In 1960, he founded and then served as owner-operator of R.B. Fox Inc. of Massillon, a heating and air conditioning firm. In 2007, he was recognized by Sheet Metal Workers Local 33 for 60 years of service. He and his wife were licensed private pilots. Two of his greatest joys were his Cessna 172 airplane, N3721R, and his condo in South Palm Beach, Fla. He and his wife loved their Boston Terriers and pet macaw parrots. He especially loved his three grandsons, Brian R., Matthew R. and Bradley R. Fox. In addition to his grandsons, he is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Marla Fox Ratzer and Larry J. Ratzer of Jackson Township; and his son and daughter-in-law, Craig R. Fox and Kathy J. Fox of Massillon. He was also preceded in death by his sisters and brothers, including Victor Fox and John Fox, of Canal Fulton. A graveside service with military honors will be held on Thursday at 1:00 p.m. at the Rose Hill Memorial Gardens in Jackson Township. The family will receive friends at the Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home in Massillon on Wednesday from 5-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project, www.uso.org/Donate. Paquelet & Arnold-Lynch Funeral Home & Crematory (330) 833-4839