Ethan Fox  2002 – 2018

On April 27th, 2018, at the age of 15 one of the happiest kids passed away. Ethan Fox was a friend, brother, son, student and teammate. He made an impact on a lot of people’s lives, even if they didn’t know him very well. 

“No matter what was going on in his life, he still made sure that everybody else was happy and always in a good mood, and that’s one of many reasons everybody loved him and will miss him,” said soccer teammate Tristan Wheeler. 

Wheeler knew Ethan for seven years. He played soccer with him at Loy Norrix and on an indoor soccer team called Loy Norrix Soccer Club. Wheeler said his favorite memory of Ethan is when he came and watched Wheeler’s indoor soccer team play. About a week after Ethan lost his arm due to medical issues, he came and sat on the bench with his team to support them. 

“Playing soccer with him made the team a family,” said Wheeler. 

No one could be mad at the boy with the biggest smile. English teacher Anne Bowser had Ethan for one trimester and she absolutely adored him. She said her favorite memory of him was when he would never stop talking in class and he just had the biggest toothy smile that Bowser couldn’t be mad at. 

Ethan Fox was such a strong person that could find a way to be cheerful even in the hardest time. He didn’t want the pity of others and he would never take anything seriously. 

Bowser said one thing she admired about Ethan was that even when he was struggling, he wanted to keep up on his work. 

“He was a reminder, even before he died, of how precious our lives are and how much I love my students,” said Bowser.  

Drake Olson has been a close friend with Ethan for 12 years. Olson recalls when he and Ethan hung out after Ethan had surgery just a week prior. Olson says that was the last time that things were normal for him. 

“Every moment was awesome with him, he was just an awesome person,” said Olson. One of his favorite things about Ethan was that he could make a joke out of anything and he was always happy. 

Maggie Grabemeyer had been a close friend with Ethan since kindergarten. Her favorite memory with him is when they were at their friend and fellow student Carly Loken’s house, and he just started rapping “Ice Ice Baby.” Grabemeyer said it was ‘ridiculous.’ 

Grabemeyer said her favorite thing about Ethan was that he turned everything into a joke and could make everyone laugh. 

Ethan Fox has left an impact on a lot of people’s lives. He was a funny, happy kid with a toothy smile that will fondly be remembered. He would light up a room when he walked in. He may be gone, but our memories of him will stay shining.