George E. Fox Jr. of Hermiston passed away in Kennewick, Wash. on March 12, 2025 at the age of 82.
He was born on July 2, 1942 in Kodak, Tenn. to George and Reva Fox.
George grew up living in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, where he attended school. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy after graduating from high school and was stationed in San Diego, Calif. He met Ruth Rueda in San Diego and the couple were united in marriage on June 20, 1964 in San Diego. The couple followed George’s career to San Diego and Long Beach, Calif., Hawthorne, Nev., Charleston, S.C., Umatilla and Wasco. George later retired from the Army Corps of Engineers as an operator at the McNary and John Day dams. When he retired the couple moved to Brookings, where they resided for several years. They then moved to Eastern Oregon and lived in the Hat Rock area near Hermiston for over 20 years.
George was passionate about playing golf and spending time with his family. He was a member of the Shriners and Eagles lodges.
He is survived by a son, Roy Fox; two daughters, Brenda Long and Sandra Bryant; five grandchildren, Ashley Boyer, Jordon Fox, Anthony Gaipa, Brianna Rameriz and Wyatt Omdahl; and two great-grandchildren, Harper Schmid and Cameron Fox.
George was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Ruth, on May 28, 2022.
A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m. on Thursday, March 20, 2025 at the Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston.
Burial with military honors will follow in the Hermiston Cemetery.
To leave an online condolence for the family, please go to burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
