James Edward Fox

1939 - 2023

James Edward Jim' Fox
October 10, 1939 - December 14, 2023
La Jolla James, "Jimmy", later "Jim" Fox, was born in Missouri October 10, 1939 and reared in Texas. He graduated from Pecos High School where he played football, boxed Golden Gloves, and was a member of the debate team. He worked his way through college as a bank teller to graduate in 1961 with a degree in Finance from Texas Tech University where he was President of Kappa Sigma and Interfraternity Council. He maintained Honor Roll status, graduating in three and a half years, despite taking a semester off to work full time.
Upon graduation, he joined the Navy and caught his first glimpse of an ocean at Newport, Rhode Island Officer Candidate School. After OCS, he reported to Coronado, CA and the Pacific became his home for the next four years. A member of BUDS Class 28, he joined Underwater Demolition Team ELEVEN and then newly established SEAL Team ONE. His military career, while brief, was a significant period in his life and thereafter, for those he inspired. After serving two tours in Vietnam, he used his GI Bill to study for his Juris Doctor and Dean's List Honors from Willamette University School of Law, Salem, Oregon.
In 1966 he also met Joyce Caster, a 1965 WU graduate and analyst on the Governor's budget staff. They were married in December, 1967, prior to his final law school semester. Drawn to Coronado, Jim determined to study for and pass the California Bar in San Francisco, after which he and Joyce moved to San Diego where he practiced corporate law and civil litigation. They settled in La Jolla to raise their family, balancing surf and sailing with winter Utah ski trips and a penchant for gardening projects.
Jim is remembered as a steady servant leader and mentor of youth, beginning with his own family, and continuing through active community participation in Scout Troop 4, La Jolla Kiwanis, La Jolla Presbyterian Church, San Diego County Grand Jury and Southwestern Yacht Club. He was a youth soccer coach, corporate litigator and Socratic philosopher. (In 1990 he moved his family to Scotland where he earned a master's degree in Moral Philosophy.) His Narrow Gate (Matthew 7:13) life choices and "never-ever-give-up" attitude were his code of conduct and legacy, modeled by example. The home and dinner table were always open for visitors and debate. He was a lover of the Bible's Red Letter Words. Jim and Joyce raised their children in the church and have continued to serve and be active in some way into their golden years.
Jim is predeceased by his father, Robert Fox and mother, Louise Fox. He is survived by his wife Joyce Fox, son Matthew Fox (Beth), daughter Rebecca Fox, daughter Jessica (Navy EOD CAPT Cameron Chen), son Nathan (Anna), son Navy SEAL CDR Tim Fox (Bree), 11 grandchildren, 2 great grand-children, brother Robert Fox (Maureen), brother Charles (Joyce) and assorted cousins.
A memorial service to commemorate his passing on December 14, 2023 will be held at La Jolla Presbyterian Church on Sunday, January 14 at 2PM. Interment will be held at Miramar National Cemetery Monday, January 15 at 9AM. A celebration of a life well lived' will be held at the family home on the weekend of October 12 in honor of his 85th birthday.

Please sign the guest book online at legacy.com/obituaries/ lajollalight