Derl Fox, 75

Derl David Fox, 75, of Mountain Home, died of congestive heart failure on Sept. 24, 2006, with his family at his side.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 29, at Mountain View Cemetery in Mountain Home. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Derl was born July 18, 1931, in Amador City, Calif. At the age of five his family relocated to Idaho Falls, Idaho. It was there, in 1948, that he enlisted in the United States Air Force and subsequently traveled the world extensively.

He married Eleanor J. Smiddy on Dec. 20, 1951. They had four children and continued to travel the world.

Derl retired from the Air Force in 1974, and settled in Mountain Home. He then began employment with the Civil Service and NAF as the manager of the Mountain Home Air Force Base Bowling Center.

Derl was an avid bowler and a huge sport enthusiast, his family said. "His favorite pastime was tinkering in the garage with his 'treasures.' His cat and constant companion, Missy, was always at his side. They made quite a pair."

Derl is survived by: his wife, Ellie; daughter Shirley and her husband, Chuck Ridley; daughter Susan Rodolosi and her friend, Bill Mabry; a son, Michael, and his wife Marilyn Fox ,of Anchorage, Alaska; four grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dean and Vernon Fox; two sisters, LaVeda Fann and LaVenda McMurtrey, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his son, John D. Fox, a sister and both parents.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that friends honor Derl's memory by making a contribution to a charity of their choice.