Harley Allen Fox

HARLEY ALLEN FOX, 81, of Ogallala, NE, passed away Sunday, April 4, 2021, at the Ogallala Community Hospital in Ogallala, NE.

Harley was born July 13, 1939, in Moorefield, NE, to Clarence and Lulu (Woolam) Fox. He was raised in Gothenburg and graduated from Gothenburg High School, where he was an excellent student-athlete. Harley shined in track & field, particularly in the pole vault, where he earned and still holds the Men's High School State Record for Pole Vault with a steel pole.

Harley received a full-ride scholarship to UNL to compete in track. After a year at UNL, Harley transferred to Kearney State College, where he met the love of his life, Kathleen Osborne, and the two were married a year later, on January 2, 1965.

Harley and Kathleen made their home in Gothenburg for a couple of years before moving to Ogallala, where Harley worked at Bahliman Furniture and Floor Covering. Their union was richly blessed with the greatest of friends, many laughs, and three exceedingly handsome sons, Matthew, Andrew, and Daniel. Harley eventually purchased the flooring portion of Bahlimans, and Fox Flooring was born.

Harley was in the business during a carpeting Renaissance age, where carpet adorned every room in the house, from bathrooms to kitchens. He was brilliant at his trade, artful in ways that even an untrained eye could recognize. In an age where carpet was ubiquitous, Harley was a standout for his skill and artistry, if not also for his notably diminished warhorse of a work van, affectionately nicknamed "Old Blue."

For most of his life, Harley was a standout for one reason or another. For starters, he was of uncommon physical stature. His mental acuity was a good match for his physical and athletic gifts and undergirded his energetic humor. Harley was socially proficient and had mastered the art of telling a good story. Harley was typically the one in the room having the most fun, in the most boisterous of ways. Whatever the occasion, from hunting or card playing to road trips and social gatherings, Harley's company was most often riotously entertaining and memorable.

Harley enjoyed people and had a great diversity of deep, meaningful friendships. He was devotedly competitive in all games and contests and had a gift for making even routinely shared pastimes into a contentious rivalry. Harley enjoyed golfing and hunting of all sorts, from pheasants and geese to mushrooms and frogs. He was also a passionate Husker fan.

Harley had a good run in life, and he knew it. When his health began to falter, he always made it a point during family gatherings to stop everything in order to empty the sentiments of his heart. His familiar prayer intentions during the last few trials of health seem fitting in the wake of his absence; May God grant "strength for today, and hope for tomorrow."

Harley was baptized in the Lutheran church. He was also involved with the Elks Club, Jaycees, Cub Scouts, Little League Baseball, and Community Choir.

Harley was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Raymond and Harold.

He is survived by his wife, Kathleen of Ogallala; sons, Matthew (Tania) of Paxton, Andrew (Kimberly) of Parker, CO, and Daniel (Dawn) of Ogallala; grandchildren, Alec, Katie, Michael, Ryan, Jared, Nicholas, Morgan and Rebecca; brother, Donald Fox of Cozad; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins, family, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in Harley's memory for later designation. Condolences may be shared at prairiehillsfuneralhome.com, where the service will be streamed live for those unable to attend.

Memorial services will be on Saturday, April 17, 2021, at 10:30 a.m. at Grace Point Church in Ogallala, with Pastor Curtis Tschetter officiating. Interment of Cremains will be at a later date.

Prairie Hills Funeral Home of Ogallala is in charge of arrangements.