Mark R. Fox

Born on Thanksgiving Day, November 26, 1953, in Fulton, NY to Herman and Marilyn Fox, Mark passed away unexpectedly on June 22, 2011 and will be sadly missed by his loving family, friends and colleagues.  Mark was a partner in and immediate past president of Fraser Trebilcock Davis & Dunlap law firm in Lansing, Michigan, where he began his legal career nearly 25 years ago.  Mark will be remembered for loyalty, wit, courage, compassion and determination.

Following his graduation from the University of Vermont, Mark enjoyed stints as a radio reporter and print journalist, later establishing his own political consulting firm in East Lansing, Michigan. Thereafter, he attended the Thomas M. Cooley Law School, where he received his J.D. cum laude.

In addition to his passion for the law, Mark had a lifelong interest in politics.  He worked on many political campaigns across the U.S., in national, state and local elections from Alaska to Vermont. He was a trusted adviser to numerous elected officials, and was appointed to the State Ethics Board by then Governor Granholm.  Mark had an encyclopedic knowledge of modern political history.  He was an avid reader of non-fiction biographies and historical books.  Mark enjoyed music and was a huge Bob Dylan fan.  Above all else, Mark was a proud father and devoted husband. Being a dad was truly his most important accomplishment.  He enjoyed spending his free time with his family, attending his children’s soccer games, traveling, and watching movies.

Mark is survived by his wife of 19 years, Anita Fox; his children, Tyler, Meredith and Gregory; brother, Craig Fox of Burlington, VT; sister, Karen Fox of Birmingham, MI; sister-in-law, Lynne (Ken) Page; brothers-in-law, Glen (Gail) Raby and Mark Raby; mother-in-law, Barbara Raby; nephew, Kyle Page; nieces, Shannon Raby and Dana Page; goddaughter, Jessica Levine; and godsons, Andres, Diego and Sergio Acevedo, who were like sons to him.

Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2011 at 11:00 a.m. at Temple Beth Israel, 801 W. Michigan Ave., Jackson, MI  49202. A meal of condolence will be served at the temple following services. Rabbi Jonathan V. Plaut will officiate. Interment will follow at approximately 2:15 p.m. at Evergreen Cemetery, 1709 E. Mt. Hope, Lansing, MI  48910.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alliance for Paired Donation, Inc., www.paireddonation.org, a charity Mark helped form and on whose Board he served. Arrangements by Estes-Leadley Greater Lansing Chapel.

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11 Messages to “Mark R. Fox

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Robert Miller and family,Great Aunt Greta,Joy,Esther, Samantha,Saul
June 23, 2011 at 11:13 pm

Robert is the son of Mark’s Great Aunt Greta from Portland Maine.
We are saddened and surprised to hear of your sudden loss.
Life is so precous and when one passes away at a young age we are all reminded for our own lives to live the best we can by enjoying more time with family and the things we like to do!

If you come back to the East Coast feel free to contact us at miller.interpretations@gmail.com

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Roy Saper
June 24, 2011 at 12:42 am

Dear Anita and Family —

We join your many friends to say we are so saddened to learn of your great loss. In this time of questions and trying to understand how death can come to one’s door so early, the answers will never seem adequate. But know that the memories of him as family and friend will remain forever as as testament to his wit and smarts, talent, vision, and contributions in work, life and play. In deepest sympathy, Roy Saper and Nell Kuhnmuench

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Jodi and Dan Holtrop
June 24, 2011 at 11:46 am

Anita, Tyler, Meredith and Rory –

What a great loss. Mostly for you, but for all of us. I have many memories with Mark standing at the soccer game sidelines, sharing rides back and forth to games – of course discussing soccer, but politics and many, many other topics. I always learned something new from him and we had many laughs. Although I know he had a very demanding career, he was so devoted to you his children and family. He was a great, great man and will be missed. Having recently just lost my own father to an accident, I know that no one else can take away what you are feeling, but if there is anything we can do to help in any way, we will be more than happy to do it. Each of you will be in our prayers.

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Julie Preiss
June 24, 2011 at 12:22 pm

Dear Karen, Anita, Tyler, Meredith and Rory,

My deepest condolences at the loss of your brother, husband and father. Your hearts must be full with a lifetime of memories of Mark. I hope you find comfort in the love and support of family and friends.

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Shane Cavanaugh and family
June 24, 2011 at 8:28 pm

Anita, Tyler, Meredith, and Rory,

I’m so sorry for your loss – there are no words to express my sadness for all of you. Mark was a great man; smart, hardworking, devoted to his family and friends, and funny. I remember years ago during Brian’s campaign debating the merits of dogs with him. He of course was adamantly against having dogs as pets and thought people were crazy to have them. It was with great pleasure that I learned Tyler brought one back from Columbia a few years ago. Mark loved his family above all else, even if that meant living with a dog. He will be sorely missed.

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S. Barbara Raby
June 25, 2011 at 3:57 pm

Dear son, Mark,

We sorely miss you and we will all stand by your family.

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Stacey Byck
June 26, 2011 at 8:28 pm

Dear Anita and Family,
I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family. Please let me know if can do anything at all for you.

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Lynn Jondahl
June 27, 2011 at 9:31 am

Anita and Family – I’m sad to learn of Mark’s death. However, my reflections on his life make me smile. His positive spirit and enthusiasm always was contagious. I relished the time we spent together plotting, analysing, telling stories and resolving major and minor challenges. We are missing a wonderful person. I wish all of you the best as you confront your loss.

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Tim Nichols
June 27, 2011 at 10:51 am

Dear Anita and Family,

Life is a gift and that is how Mark looked at it. It took my breath away when I learned of Mark’s death. I greatly enjoyed the times we spent discussing politics and the labor unions and how they they both intertwined in trying to improve the lives of so many men, women and children! He always carried an infectious smile, one that all of us will remember for ever. May the strength of your family and the love of your friends be with you to help you through this most difficult time.

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Don Reisig
December 19, 2011 at 3:37 pm

JUst learned of Mark’s death. Had the pleasure of Working with him on a number of election issues.

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Ted Cohen
May 16, 2023 at 2:09 pm

Mark, my twin brother Danny and I had many good laughs together.

Mark Fox – probably the sweetest guy we ever knew.

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