Born in Kalamazoo, Michigan, Fox received a Bachelor of Philosophy degree from Marquette University in 1933 and a Juris Doctor from Marquette University Law School in 1935.

He was in the United States Navy towards the end of World War II, from 1944 to 1946, again returning to private practice from 1946 to 1951.

[1] On July 12, 1962, Fox was nominated by President John F. Kennedy to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Michigan vacated by Judge Raymond Wesley Starr.

He served as Chief Judge from 1971 to 1979, assuming senior status on December 31, 1979.

Fox continued to serve in that capacity until his death on June 3, 1987, in Grand Rapids, Michigan.