Obituary of James L. Fox

James L Fox (74) of Benson, AZ (native of Connersville, Indiana) passed away the afternoon of May 19, 2019 at Tucson Medical Center, Peppi's House (TMC Hospice) after a 20+ year fight with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. He was born to John and Ruth (Baber) Fox on July 1, 1944 in Connersville, Indiana. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter Shermene K Fox (Burns), a brother Charles (Irma) Fox, and sisters Rena (Clyde) Thompson, and Betty (Junior) Krammes. He is survived by his wife of 48 years Boneva (Bonnie) Lainhart Fox, Son: Cody (Stacey) Fox of Oro Valley, Granddaughters: Tabetha H Fox of Tucson and Kasey L Stein of Phoenix, Grandson: Jacob C Burns, currently in the military in TX, a brother Mark Fox of Connersville, Indiana, sisters Mary Browning of Brookville, IN and Rita (James) Marshall of Cambridge City, IN as well as nieces and nephews. He served his country in an US Army missile outfit on the east coast in the early 60's and returned home and worked in his hometowns factories. Jim and Bonnie were married in the Laurel Methodist Church, in Laurel, IN on July 18, 1970. In 1974 he moved his family to Arizona where he work in the San Manuel / BHP Copper Mine in San Manuel, AZ for 28 years. He spent as much time as possible on motorcycles and horses, hunting, fishing, and traveling with his family enjoying the Arizona he loved. He never had a regret about moving to the west. He called himself a "'wanta be cowboy", said he "was born a century too late". After retiring from the mine in 2002 he was a stay at home grandfather (AKA Tada) / babysitter for the next dozen years. His move from Catalina to Benson in 2007 brought a much slower and easier lifestyle. He enjoyed being in an area with much less development and more open spaces. For a time, he was able to walk the rural roads and enjoy the desert and wildlife during his daily exercise. As his health declined, he still exercised but it was on a treadmill in front of the TV staying up to date on all things political, watching the History channel or the old-time westerns especially the Lone Ranger. Jim was a registered organ donor and his last gift was to the Organ Donor Network of Arizona. There will be a memorial service to celebrate his life held Saturday, July 20th, 2019 at Adair Funeral Home, Avalon Chapel, 8090 N. Northern Avenue, Tucson, AZ, from 10-noon. In lieu of flowers please make donations on his behalf to the American Lung Association or Wounded Warriors. Special thanks to the staff at TMC Hospital and Peppi's House (TMC Hospice) for the care and consideration Jim and his family were shown during his hospitalization.