John D. Fox, Sr

After 88 years of a self-described "wonderful life" John D. Fox, Sr. died October 31, 2009, at peace with his surroundings, his situation, and with the circle of family and friends that embraced him.

Born June 1, 1921, John was the youngest of three children. Raised on a Lathrop, Missouri farm, he was very familiar with hard work, devotion to family and respect for nature. Most importantly, he possessed a deep abiding faith in his Father God. He spoke of asking Jesus to be the leader of his life at the age of 14.

John married Virginia Whitaker in 1942 and remained married for 52 years until her death in 1994.

After serving in the U.S. Air Force and specifically in the South Pacific during WW II, John came to Jacksonville, Florida where he began a career in fine paper sales and sales management that would span the next 48 years. In 1946 John was hired by Mr. C.G. McGehee at the Jacksonville Paper Company and was then tutored in the paper business by Charles Adkins who was to become his good friend and mentor. In 1987 John joined Mac Papers as Marketing Vice President. It was at Mac he returned to the good friends of his past to work through the final seven years of his career. John sat on numerous advisory councils for national paper manufacturers and was a prominent and sought after source of reference as it related to the printing paper industry.

Soon after his retirement in 1994 John was reintroduced to the roots of the Fox Family of Eastern Tennessee where he had kept in touch but had never lived. He married Liz Pierce. She introduced him back to the world of country living and to all of the interesting and loving people of the Fall Branch, Tennessee area. It was there that John found peace and much happiness in his final years. He helped to start a mission in the area that currently feeds and clothes dozens of families daily. He participated in numerous social and church related groups and activities and projects. He frequently visited retirement homes in the area and went to people s homes where he would play his harmonica and tell country stories as his way to entertain those who were less fortunate or shut in.

John was predeceased by the mother of his children and wife Virginia 1994 and his daughter Sandra Woods 2008.

Surviving are his wife Lizzie P. Fox; his son, John D. Fox, Jr. and wife, Peggy; five grandchildren, Caroline Fox Penland, John D. Fox, III, Shaun Woods, Amanda Woods Martin and James Woods; and four great-grandchildren.


He was right; his was a "wonderful life."

The family will receive friends Tuesday November 3 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at Jearoldstown United Methodist Church Chuckey, TN. Services will be at 1:00 p.m. with Rev. Richard Bowers and Rev. Oscar McAmis officiating.

Burial will be in Oaklawn Cemetery in Jacksonville, FL at 1 p.m. Thursday November 5.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Northern Greene County Churches United In Love Ministry, c/o Kathy Bragg, 1395 Clearcreek Rd, Chuckey, TN 37641 which is the mission that John co-founded and/or to Jearoldstown United Methodist Church, c/o Pastor Richard Bowers, 15590 Kingsport Hwy, Chuckey TN, 37641.