Fox Packaging mourns founder Kenneth Fox
Fox Packaging mourns founder Kenneth Fox
Kenneth Fox, founder of Fox Packaging, died Wednesday, April 17, at the age of 91. Mr. Fox was a true pioneer in the packaging industry. The company said his incredible journey, unrelenting dedication and unmatched commitment to excellence left an enduring legacy in the industry and in its hearts.
Sixty years ago, Mr. Fox started what would be known today as Fox Packaging. His journey to becoming a worldwide flexible packaging supplier started from very humble beginnings. Mr. Fox was a burlap and mesh bag salesman for a company out of Kansas City, MO. With his family in Kansas City, Mr. Fox’s sales territories included North Dakota, Florida and Texas. Territories so far from home meant Mr. Fox spent most of his time on the road.
Mr. Fox made the difficult decision to move his wife and four children to south Texas and start manufacturing packaging on his own. Six sewing machines in the back of a melon shed was the beginning of what would become Kenneth Fox Supply Co. (Fox Packaging today).
His entrepreneurial spirit allowed Mr. Fox to identify niche markets and discover solutions to problems not yet realized. The openness and acceptance of the Texas produce industry in those days gave him the opportunity and resources he needed to get his start.
Mr. Fox’s pioneering spirit and dedication to quality laid the foundation for the company’s success as he emphasized the importance of family and relationships. Throughout his career, Mr. Fox remained guided by the principles of integrity, innovation and family. He instilled these values in every aspect of Fox Packaging’s operations, ensuring that the company not only thrived but also served as a beacon of excellence in the industry.
Mr. Fox is survived by his wife, Elaine Fox; his children, Valerie Mehis (Jim), Lori Goldman (Bruce), Keith Fox (Bruni) and Aaron Fox (Danielle); 10 grandchildren; and seven (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren. Mr. Fox is preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Louis Fox, and his son, Craig Fox.
Continuing with Mr. Fox’s vision are his sons, Keith Fox (president of Fox Packaging), Aaron Fox (executive vice president, Fox Packaging/president of Fox Solutions), and four of his grandsons: Lucas Fox, Jacob Fox, Dylan Fox and Noah Fox.
"As we mourn the loss of an industry leader may we celebrate Kenneth’s enduring legacy and honor the impact he has had on our industry," the company said in a statement. Mr. Fox was laid to rest April 19 in McAllen, TX.