Kirk J. Fox

Mass of Christian Burial for Kirk J. Fox will be conducted from the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans, Nebraska on Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 1:30 p.m. with Father Harlan Waskowiak, officiating. Interment will be held in the Oxford Cemetery at Oxford, Nebraska.

Rosary and Wake Service will be held on Wednesday, morning March 16, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. at the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Orleans.

Kirk J. Fox, 56 years of age, of Oxford, passed away on Friday, March 11, 2011 at the Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital in Lincoln, Nebraska after a courageous 16 year battle with cancer. Kirk was born May 27, 1954 at Lexington, Nebraska, the only child of James W. and Ardyth V. (Johnson) Fox. As a child, he lived in Bertrand and Edison, Nebraska. He attended Edison Elementary School through the sixth grade and then Oxford High School, where he graduated with the class of 1972. Kirk attended Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1976. While in college, Kirk met his wife, Kathy Vondracek. Kirk and Kathy were married on December 28, 1974 and were blessed with two children: Nate and Kylie.

Kirk was a lifelong resident of the Oxford area and had a great love for his community. Kirk returned to the Oxford area shortly after college to work for Farmers and Merchants Bank in Edison as clerk and manager of Farmers and Merchants Insurance Agency. He then opened Oxford Insurance Agency, which he operated for over 23 years.

Kirk was involved in numerous civic organizations and especially enjoyed his years as coach of the Edison boy's basketball team and as president of the Granada Theater Board. He was a member of the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Oxford.

Kirk truly enjoyed life and especially the people in his life. He always had a grin on his face and a fun conversation to share. He was a very devoted father and husband and cherished every moment with family and friends. Because of his long battle he realized the value of every day and lived each day to the fullest. Some of his fondest memories of his childhood were of his days on his grandparents' farm and he always carried a special love for the country, animals and sunsets. He was a student of history and had a passion for travel.

Kirk was preceded in death by his parents and a nephew, Brett Biskup. He leaves to mourn his passing his wife of thirty-six years, Kathy of Oxford; his son, Nate of Oxford; his daughter, Kylie Fox-Wilken and her husband, Michael of Kearney, Nebraska; father-in-law and mother-in-law: John and Rosalie Vondracek of Lincoln; one brother-in-law: John Vondracek, Jr. and his wife, Shawn of Lincoln, Nebraska; three sisters-in-law: Susan Biskup and her husband, Kevin of Orleans, Deb Gibson and her husband, John of Ada, Oklahoma and Barb Landell and her husband, Jay of Hastings, Nebraska; and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, and other relatives.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at the Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford from 1:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting friends from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

A memorial has been established in his memory. The family intends to present memorials to the American Red Cross, and area volunteer fire and rescue departments.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home in Oxford is in charge of the arrangements.