John D. Fox Sr.

Died: Oct. 31, 2009

KINGSPORT -- John D. Fox Sr., 88, of Fall Branch, died Saturday.

His family provided the following statement: "After 88 years of a self-described 'wonderful life' John D. Fox Sr. died Oct. 31, 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, Mo., 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 World War II, John came to Jacksonville, Fla., 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 C.G. McGehee at the Jacksonville Paper Co. 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 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."

His family further stated, "He was right; his was a 'wonderful life'."

In addition to his first wife, he was preceded in death by a daughter: Sandra Woods.

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

The family will receive friends from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday at Jearoldstown United Methodist Church in Chuckey.

The funeral service will follow visitation at 1 o'clock at the church. The Rev. Richard Bowers and the Rev. Oscar McAmis will officiate.

A committal service will be held at 1 o'clock Thursday afternoon in Oaklawn Cemetery in Jacksonville, Fla.

Memorial contributions may be made to Northern Greene County Churches United In Love Ministry, c/o Kathy Bragg, 1395 Clearcreek Road, Chuckey, TN 37641, which is the mission that John co-founded, or to Jearoldstown UM Church, c/o Pastor Richard Bowers, 15590 Kingsport Highway, Chuckey TN 37641.

Condolences may be sent to the Fox family online at www.hamlettdobson.com

Hamlett-Dobson Funeral Homes in Kingsport is in charge of arrangements.