Michael Dean Fox, 81, died on July 19, 2025, in his hometown of Lampasas.
A memorial service will be held at Sneed-Carnley Funeral Chapel on July 25 at 2 p.m., with a time to visit after the service. A private burial will take place at a later date.
Born on Jan. 9, 1944, to Joe Henry Fox Jr. and Bettye Jo Miller, Michael was a Lampasas native through and through. He graduated from Lampasas High School in 1962 and began a journey marked by passion, service and a deep love for life.
Michael attended the University of Texas at Austin before transferring to Texas A&M to earn his Bachelor of Science in animal sciences. While working through the rigors of a credentialed education, he decided to take a right turn and chase his passion for the game of golf, earning his Class A rating as a PGA professional.
His early career took him to Wildwood, Texas, where he served as the director of golf at Wildwood Golf Course. Eventually, a calling to ministry led him back to the classroom, and in 1987, he earned his Master of Divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He went on to pastor churches in Ames, Iowa, and later at Dallas Brethren Church, serving for over a decade.
While ministry was a core part of his life, so were golf and his unwavering faith. Michael stayed active in both, ultimately retiring as a golf pro. He was a proud member of the PGA of America and wore many hats over the years: Master Electrician, woodworker, gardener, caregiver and lifelong animal lover. He was a member of First Baptist Church in Lampasas.
In 2006, Michael married Kay in Las Vegas, and for the next 20 years, they shared a life full of love and laughter. Together, they traveled, enjoyed movies and books, worked side by side in the yard, accomplished many projects and cheered on their beloved Lampasas Badgers. They made memories in their walks around the neighborhood, shared toddies on the deck, and time spent with those they loved.
Michael was known for his kind heart, competitive spirit and gentle strength. He was “FoxPop” to their grandson Joe, a name that stuck and captured the warmth he brought to every relationship.
He was preceded in death by his father, Joe Henry Fox Jr.; stepmother, Doris Ann Fox; mother, Bettye Jo Miller; stepfather, Ray Jones; and brothers Winters Fox, Buck Jones and Randall Jones.
He is survived by his wife, Kay Fox of Lampasas; daughter, Mitzi Gray; his son, Derek Hadden Fox; his sisters Tammy Pollock and Sandy Holloman (and husband Bo); sister, Judy Bays; brother, Rex Jones; grandson, Joe, and Joe’s father, Steve Dillard; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and others.
The Fox family requested memorial donations be made to First Baptist Church.
