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.