ALAN CRAIG FOX

ALAN CRAIG FOX, NASA Flight Training Engineer/Instructor, currently employed by KBR and longtime NASA employee (39 years), was busily working on the next mission to the Moon when he passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020. He was working up to the very last, and as with the numerous space shuttle missions he had under his belt, Alan was eagerly anticipating the success of this mission.
Alan was born on June 21, 1951 in Washington, DC and lived much of his youth in and around Miami, Florida. His undergraduate was from the University of Florida at Gainesville, where he majored in Geology. In 1981, he made his way to Houston and NASA, where he established himself as the Rendezvous Guru. Alan loved flying and it didn’t matter whether flight had to do with traditional airplanes or lunar space aircrafts, that’s where he wanted to be. He obtained his CF II pilot’s certification and went on to instruct students who shared these same interests. Although near and dear to him, all things related to space only touched on some of the many interests he pursued.
Alan majored in science but his minor was in music. And like his love of celestial exploration, music and guitars were never far behind. From boyhood on, Alan could be found playing music (his real job). In his younger days, he played with Musicians’ Hall of Famer Will Lee in the band “Inner Sounds” where they toured South America. After moving to Texas in the early 1980s, Alan would play with one group or another whether it was at a special event, an evening out at the City park, a neighborhood gig or just a family-friendly party. These adventures, too, had a way of circling back to space-related topics where bands’ names were the Rockit Scientists, HTO (Hitchhikers to Orbit), and on occasion, even subbed for Max Q. He also played with Lemmings, De Novo, the DK Trio, and Strand Streets 6-7/8 Dixieland Jazz Band.
Together, Alan and Polly, his wife of 36 years, raised three terrific kids. There are special memories of one-on-one time for each. With Ryan, their oldest, Alan shared his love of sports. Because he and Ryan both enjoyed the love of baseball, they went wherever the games took them. With David, their middle son, he took great pride in the many years they shared karate lessons at Al Garza’s Karate Studio. Both he and David achieved Black Belt status with David attaining 3rd degree and Alan 4th in Taekwondo. Alan went on to obtain his 1st degree Black Belt in Arnis level 8 in Krav Maga, and his purple belt in Small Circle Jujitsu. Grace, their youngest, had the ability to make her Dad laugh. Her special nicknames reserved only for him were the source of good fun between them. With the Kids grown and on their own, Polly and Alan enjoyed some time together traveling with dear friends and family, including one memorable trip up and down the West Coast.
Alan was preceded in death by his parents Samuel Simon and Geraldine Georgette Fox. He is survived by his wife of 36 years, Polly Ann Fox and their three children, Ryan and his wife, Jenna of Tampa, Florida, David of League City, and daughter Grace and her husband, Aaron Schielack of LaPorte. The brightest little lights in his life were his grandchildren – McKenna, Kase, Juliette and Benjamin. He is also survived by his brother Ira and wife, Debbie Fox of Miami, Florida, and his many nieces and nephews, Brian, Jill, Madden and Randi Fox, Eric, Andee, Natalie and Annabella Fox, Tanya, Jared, Julian and Silas Hoffman, Samantha and Sean Settler, and Stephanie Southard. Other family members include brothers-in-law Bruce Knox and Mark and his wife, Kelli Knox, all of League City, and a great number of dear and wonderful friends at the karate studio and NASA.
The Family only asks that whenever you see a rocket launch or gander at the moon and stars, you’ll think fond memories of Alan. However, should you want to contribute to a charity in Alan’s name, there are two he personally connected with. His mother suffered from multiple sclerosis. This is why Alan participated in the MS 150 on several occasions. Their address is: National Multiple Sclerosis Society, 8111 North Stadium Drive, #100, Houston, TX 77054. He had recently signed up to be a volunteer with Armand Bayou, a wildlife refuge and wilderness preserve. Their address is: 8500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena, TX 77507-1818,
The Fox Family extends an invitation to family, friends and co-workers to gather with them for a time of remembrance and the opportunity to share memories of Alan from 10 am until 2 pm at The Lone Star Flight Museum on Saturday, October 3rd located at 11551 Aerospace Ave., Houston, TX 77034. As a tribute to Alan and his long and unwavering dedication to space exploration, NASA will fly the American flag over Mission Control on Friday, October 2nd. This special flag will then be presented to the family at Saturday’s memorial reception.
Alan’s physical life may have come to a close but his forever dream was to take a trip to the Moon. His extraordinary wish will be granted when his ashes are launched into Space at a future date.
We miss you to the stars and beyond, Dad. Godspeed.

17 comments

  1. To Poly and Family,

    Our deepest condolences from Denny Nd Sue Shea and family. Alan was a close and dear friend at AGMA, Arnis and Small Circle Jujitsu. It was an honor to train with him.

    Denny Shea
  2. Our condolences to the entire Fox family. Alan was a friend, flight instructor, and dental patient of ours for many years. We will miss his warm smile and quick wit. God speed our friend.

    Chet and Deby Hawkins
  3. Holy Mother lead Alan straight to the loving arms of Christ. Holy Spirit fill the broken hearts of all who love him. ✝️ Amen

    Polly, you are not alone and you are loved. ♥️✝️♥️

    Jeri Akins
  4. God can now take a load off His mind, he finally has a stand-in to steer the planets for Him.

    james oberg
  5. I’m so very sorry for your family’s loss! Praying for all of you. Lisa Esders

    Lisa Esders
  6. Ryan and family, We are so very sorry and sadden about Alan’s passing. We are thankful that we have some great memories from our fantastic baseball road trip together! Our prayers and thoughts are with you guys during this extremely tough time. Hugs, The Hendersons

    Tracy Henderson
  7. So sorry for your loss. Polly I am only a phone call away and Eastern Tennessee is a great relaxing place to visit. Be strong and know you are loved

    Betty
  8. Alan was a wonderful friend with whom I trained in Martial Arts for 19 years. We went from white belt all the way to 4th degree black belt together, and trained together in both Krav Maga and Arnis as well. I will miss his friendship and constant encouragement. I know I’ll see you again some day, Alan. Until then,, enjoy the beautiful view of the universe that you’ll have in Heaven! Prayers and hugs for Polly and family!!!

    Mary Grace Termini
  9. There was never a dull moment with Mr. Fox. He is one of the smartest men I came to meet. My heart is with you all at this time, God bless.

    Tyler Hubenak
  10. I trained at AGMA with Alan for years and even played some music with him.
    He and Polly attended my 50th birthday where he showed up with an actual casket!
    We jammed a little on my driveway.
    We played some music in a ragtag band we thru together for an AGMA event too.
    Alan was an impressive man with many accomplishments and a huge heart. I never heard a cross word from Alan.
    Gonna miss you brother. Blessings and condolences to Polly and the whole family.

    Craig Schneider
  11. Our deepest sympathies to Polly, Ryan, David and Grace. We’ll forever remember the fond memories of Alan and our times of training together.
    With loving prayers.
    Ms. KaCi (Kimberly Smith), Johnathon, Timothy and Shayna

    Kimberly Smith
  12. To Poly and family,

    Deepest condolences from Victor Shum and family! I have been working closely with Alan and astronaut Lee Morin’s team for the past three years at JSC. Alan had always been dedicated and full of passion on everything he did. As such he had always been an inspiring leader.
    We had fond memories of his unique experiences in flying, in Aerospace Engineering, crew training and guitar performances.
    Alan will be sorely missed!

    Victor Shum
  13. Alan started as a co-worker and became a good friend. He was my flight instructor, making me a better pilot by making me think and sweat. At work Alan was always thinking about how to make things better. Alan studied spacecraft cockpits, collecting any picture he could get his hands on. He was both passionate and even keeled. NASA human spaceflight is better because of him. I will miss his friendship and his laugh.

    David Dannemiller
  14. To the Fox family,
    My sincere condolences on Alan passing. We always had a great time with Alan playing with my band Denovo and the crawfish boils. He constantly was bringing new songs to the bands repertoire and laying down a great bass line. I will surely miss him.

    John Bergmann

    John S. Bergmann
  15. I am sorry for your loss. Alan was a great guy who stood up for what he believed and always new what he was doing. It is so unfortunate that he went so soon; he deserved to be here longer to continue his contribution to aviation and space and family. I continually remember you guys as great neighbors in Meadow Bend after all these years.

    Ronnie Rogers
  16. Grace, so sorry you lost your Dad way too soon. I enjoyed getting to be with your Dad and Mom at the family gatherings at Tab and Lisa’s. I loved seeing him with the kiddos. You and Polly and brothers are in my prayers and I will be thinking of you Saturday. Love you Grace.

    Esther Ross
  17. Alan was always upbeat and ready to make music. He really loved medleys and worked them in every chance he got. We (the whole David Kelldorf Trio past and present) enjoyed our time making music with Alan, and we will miss his moving bass parts.

    David kelldorf

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