Joseph Robert Fox, longtime resident of Codington and Clark counties, died peacefully on June 9, 2026 at Hospice at Prairie Lakes Healthcare System in Watertown.
Joe was born in Clark, S.D., to Walter and Viola Fox on April 14, 1934. Joe was very involved in farming with his dad at a young age, which led him to a career in the agriculture world.
Joe was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Arlis Mae Benson, on June 12, 1955. They were blessed with seven children and were very active in their children's pursuits and activities throughout their educational years.
His life relocated him to Redfield, Mitchell, Watertown and Sioux Falls. Joe's career was spent in agriculture, working in fertilizer and seed sales, and eventually building his own business, Fox Grain and Seed. He made many personal and professional friends along this journey.
Upon retiring, Joe and Arlis enjoyed life at the lake, camping, fishing and traveling to visit their children and grandchildren. Joe was an avid outdoorsman with a special love for fishing. Family and friends enjoyed joining him in hunting pheasants and waterfowl.
Joe was an avid reader and built an extensive collection of his favorite books in history, biographies and religion. He was an enthusiastic fan of the Watertown Arrows, Northern State Wolves and the Minnesota Vikings.
Joe found a new retirement hobby of restoring/modifying wood furniture pieces that he and Arlis would purchase on their estate sale searches. He also designed beautiful crosses from wood and enjoyed giving them to family members and friends.
Joe as preceded in death by his loving wife, Arlis; son Michael Fox; parents Walter and Viola Fox; sisters Judy Christensen, Sharon Brannan and Darla Larson; brother Dean Fox; mother-and-father-in-law John and Mabel Benson; sister-in-law Arlene Keyes and brother-in-law Wayne Keyes; brothers-in-law Gene Brannan, Leonard Christensen, Bill Altfillisch, Dale Larson and Johnnie Ovre; nephews Steven Noonan and Jarod Larson; nieces Shelly Fox and Becky Fox-Scotter and nephew Martin Fox.
Joseph is survived by his sisters Janice Fox-Larson and Dianne Fox-Altfillisch; brother-in-law Richard Larson; sister-in-law Karen Ovre; children Kelly Fox, Kimberly (Tim) Schweitzer, Robert (Denice) Fox, Dianne Fox-Welch, Christina Fox (Mark Kemper), John (Kim) Fox; grandchildren Dr. Kathryn (Dr. Alison Adamcyzk) Fox, Joe Fox, Elizabeth (Jordan) Reifenberger, Alexandria (Dustin) Amman, Abigail (Josh) Taralson, Spencer Schiweitzer, Benjamin (Lisa) Fox, Dr. Emily (Adam) Dunn, Kristen (Radley) Fox-Hohenberger, Makayla Fox, River Fox-Welch, Raine Fox-Welch, Killian Sweeney, Liam Sweeney, Olivia Fox and Maya Fox; heart children Ann, Patti, Pam, Amity, Keith and Bob; and 19 great-granchilren.
Mass of Christian Burial was held Tuesday, June 16 at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Clark at 11:00 a.m., and visitation was at the church before mass from 9:30-10:45 a.m. Interment was at the St. Boniface Catholic Cemetery. A luncheon followed at St. Michael's Catholic Church.
