MCALLEN, TX - The fresh produce industry has been shaken by the recent news of a packaging pioneer’s recent passing. Kenneth Fox, Founder of Fox Packaging, passed away on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the age of 91. Upon his passing, our industry looks back on an incredible journey, marked by unrelenting dedication and an unmatched commitment to excellence.

Kenneth’s decorated journey in the flexible packaging arena began with humble beginnings, an obituary stated. He started his career as a burlap and mesh bag salesman for a company out of Kansas City, Missouri. With his family in Kansas City, Kenneth’s sales territories included North Dakota, Florida, and Texas, meaning he spent most of his time on the road. This led him to make the difficult decision to move his wife and four children to South Texas and start manufacturing packaging on his own. Sixty years ago, six sewing machines in the back of a melon shed was the beginning of what would become Kenneth Fox Supply, Co.—today’s Fox Packaging.

Throughout his longstanding career, Kenneth’s pioneering spirit and dedication to quality laid the groundwork for the company’s success. He remained focused on the principles of integrity, innovation, and family, instilling these values in each aspect of Fox Packaging’s operations to ensure it served as a beacon of excellence in the industry.

His admirable entrepreneurial spirit allowed him to identify niche markets and discover solutions to problems not yet realized, and the openness and acceptance of the Texas produce industry in those days gave him the opportunity and resources he needed to get his start.

Kenneth is survived by his wife, Elaine Fox; his children, Valerie Mehis (Jim), Lori Goldman (Bruce), Keith Fox (Bruni), and Aaron Fox (Danielle); 10 grandchildren, and seven (soon to be nine) great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, Anna and Louis Fox, and his son, Craig Fox.

Continuing with Kenneth’s vision under the Fox Packaging operation are his sons, Keith Fox (President of Fox Packaging), Aaron Fox (Executive Vice President, Fox Packaging/President of Fox Solutions), and four of his grandsons, Lucas Fox, Jacob Fox, Dylan Fox, and Noah Fox.

Details regarding the memorial services will be shared as they become available.

ANUK extends our condolences to the family as the industry reflects on Kenneth’s impactful legacy.