Christopher Jon Fox, 61, of Fruitdale, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, April 29th, 2024.
He was born May 3rd, 1962, in Belle Fourche to Robert “Bob” and Helen (Davis) Fox. As a young man he lived with his family in Fruitdale helping with the family bee business. Chris attended primary school in Fruitdale and graduated from Belle Fourche High School in 1980. He participated in track, football, and basketball. Chris was offered a full ride scholarship to play football at Huron college but was unable to take it due to a hernia.
On February 17, 1995, he married the love of his life, Krinda Smart in Pierre, SD. Fruitdale has always been home to Chris and Krinda. To this union came three sons: Jesse, Owen, and Taten.
Chris had many endeavors, starting with the Fox and Sons family bee business. He worked for Wishbone Fencing, and later became self-employed with Dakota Lawn Care for several years. He then worked at American Colloid in Wyoming from 2000-2017. Once his two younger children were in high school, he became self-employed once again to be able to attend more of their sports activities.
Chris was an avid fisherman, hunter, golfer, and an all-around sportsman. He was a mentor to numerous youth hunters. He was a professional hunting guide for many years, and spent his whole life guiding friends, family, and anyone else who asked for his guidance. He was always willing to take people to his private hunting and fishing spots. Any who knew him got to experience his great sense of humor and his caring nature. There wasn’t a person he ran into that he couldn’t have a conversation with. He enjoyed being a football referee and was an avid Broncs fan. Chris loved gardening with his wife Krinda. The two of them enjoyed spending their free time hunting, camping, and in recent years also enjoyed traveling to Texas. His two grandchildren held a special place in his heart. He enjoyed spending time with them including fishing around Fruitdale, teaching them to call coyotes, and going shed hunting.
Chris is survived by his wife Krinda, three sons, Jesse (Brianne) Fox of Belle Fourche, Owen Fox of Fruitdale, and Taten Fox of Fruitdale. Two granddaughters, Isla and Adlee Fox of Belle Fourche; Brother Tim (Wanda) Fox of Gillette, Wyoming; Sister-in-law Teresa Fox of Whitewood, Father-in-law, Bill Smart of Pierre and numerous nieces and nephews.
Chris was preceded in death by his parents Bob and Helen Fox, mother-in-law Roxanne Smart, brother Bobby Fox, cousins Marty Martindale and Rick Martindale, and friend Lowell Blome.
Visitation was 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, May 3rd at Kline Funeral Chapel.
Services were held Saturday, May 4th at 11:00 AM at the Belle Fourche Rec Center Auditorium with burial following at Pine Slope Cemetery. There was a gathering following the burial at the Branding Iron Steakhouse.
Pallbearers were Ryan Harvey, Ivan Davis, Brian Franke, Tyler Bickerdyke, Kevin Keegan, Chris Brown, Wayne Tonsager, and Donovan Burns.
Honorary Pallbearers were Mike Boehm, Jeff Blake, David Blake, Matt Oakes, Jeremy Merjil, Doug Petre, Perry Krush, Kevin Blachford, Jim Anderson, James Wanless, Kenny Merrell, Ed Webb and all of his family and friends.
A Memorial Fund has been set up at Pioneer Bank & Trust.
The funeral was livestreamed and can be viewed on Chris’s obituary page at klinefuneralchapel.com.
An online guest book and video tribute is available at klinefuneralchapel.com.
