Warren De Witt Fox died peacefully at his home on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, surrounded by family members. He was born in Malden, Massachusetts, to Ruth Fox Balcom and Warren W. Fox on December 10, 1937.
Growing up in the suburbs of Boston, some of his recreational activities involved riding the rails, snow sledding, ice skating and throwing a mean snowball. He also worked as a golf caddie, was employed in a caramel popcorn factory, Dairy Queen, and worked on a friend’s farm in Maine.
One of his favorite “pastimes” was taking care of his younger sister, Joyce.
After graduating from high school in Stoneham, Massachusetts, he left home at the age of 17 to attend Olympic Junior College in Bremerton, Washington.
Soon to be drafted into the military, he returned to Boston and enlisted in the Coast Guard. While in the Coast Guard, he attended electronics school in Connecticut.
He was stationed in Seattle for most of his time in the Coast Guard, except for a several month stint in Iceland.
He met the love of his life, Nelia Butler, when he left the Coast Guard and was living in Seattle. Warren and Nelia were married in October of 1963.
They moved to Chico, where Warren attended Chico State and obtained his Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture and worked towards his Master’s Degree in Education. While he was attending Chico State, he worked on the family farm in Capay with his father-in-law, Neal Butler.
Warren and Nelia had three sons after moving to Capay in 1968. During this time, Warren was involved in farming prune orchards, almonds, olives, and raising beef cattle. He served on the Sunsweet Prune Board for several years before retiring from farming.
He also had a teaching credential and taught at Capay Elementary School, Lake School, was the activities director at Chico High School, and taught for the Chico Adult Program. He served on the Capay Elementary School Board for many years and was inducted into the Glenn County Educator Hall of Fame.
He was very active in community and church events. He attended the First Lutheran Church in Orland and had a strong faith in God.
He very generously helped others in many different ways, but he is mostly remembered for his enthusiastic children messages in church. His passion was gardening, reading, and, most importantly, his family.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nelia; sons Perry, Tim and Kyle; grandchildren Natalie, Ben, Emily, Ariel, Luke, Kaia, Cooper, Sequoia, Donovan, and Dalton; beloved daughters-in-law, Laura, Lora, and Rachelle; and sisters Virginia and Joyce. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister Connie; and daughter-in-law, Melissa.
His family would like to thank all the people who took care of Warren during the last few months of his life: Butte Home Health and Hospice, especially Candis and Pia; Bright Star Home Care, especially Tom; Ojay; and his beloved nephew, Chris. His family added, “Thank you to the community of Capay for the food, support and love during this time.”
A memorial in Warren’s honor is planned for 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 24, at Capay Elementary School, 7504 Cutting Avenue. Contributions in Warren’s name can be made to the Capay Volunteer Fire Department, 50 Fourth Avenue, Orland, CA 95963, or First Lutheran Church, 19 Colusa Street, Orland, CA 95963, or a charity of your choice.
The Glenn County Observer 