Gregory A. Fox

Funeral services for Gregory A. Fox, a business executive and community leader, will be held Thursday, Feb. 18, at 1 p.m. at Congregation Shaare Emeth, 11645 Ladue Road,. Mr. Fox, 54, died peacefully Tuesday at Barnes Hospital after a four-year battle with pancreatic cancer, surrounded by his family.

Mr. Fox spent nearly 30 years at Harbour Group, the operating company founded by his father.  After working in several different management positions, he rose to the position of group president, responsible for several of the company’s lines of business. He had said that he loved the work, not only because it was constantly changing but also because it gave him the opportunity to work with different management teams. 

Family members said that Mr. Fox loved teamwork, and was by nature a team player – modest, unassuming, and reflexive in his willingness to credit others for success. Those characteristics, combined with an ability to be tactfully straightforward, earned him both the respect and affection of his colleagues. 

Mr.Fox was also an active civic leader.  Twice, for a total of six years, he served as board president of the Community School. He also served on the boards of Barnes-Jewish Hospital, BJC Healthcare, the Center of Contemporary Arts (COCA), Logos School, MICDS, Shaare Emeth Temple, Junior Achievement, Westwood Country Club, and Kids Under Twenty-One. 

Born and raised in St. Louis, Mr. Fox  graduated from Ladue Horton Watkins High School and earned his B.A. at the University of Colorado. He then spent two years working for the NCR Corporation in California before joining Harbour Group in 1986.  After two years at Harbour, he resumed his education by enrolling at the Olin Business School at Washington University, where he earned his MBA in 1990.  He became a strong supporter of the school, and was presented in 2011 with its Distinguished Alumnus Award.   

In addition to his work and civic activities, Mr. Fox loved the outdoors, especially hunting and fishing, and he had a particular fondness for Colorado.   More than anything, though, he loved spending time with his family and friends.   

Survivors include his wife, Merle Cotlar Fox; four children — Matthew, Peter, Megan and Eli; his parents, Ambassador Sam Fox and Marilyn Widman Fox; two sisters, Cheri Fox and Paméla (Aba) Claman, both of Israel; and two brothers, Jeff (Lotta) Fox and Steve (Nancy) Fox, both of St. Louis.  They also include his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Harvey and Barbara Cotlar and his brother-in-law, Andy Cotlar.  He will also be missed by his many cousins, nephews and nieces, and dear friends.

There will be no visitation prior to the funeral service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are preferred to the charity of your choice or to The Foundation for Barnes-Jewish Hospital, earmarked to The Fox Family Pancreatic Cancer Research Fund.  The Foundation’s address is 1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West, Suite 140, St. Louis, Mo.  63110.

BERGER MEMORIAL SERVICE