02 Jan 1936 – 04 Oct 2024
Thomas Richard Fox Obituary
Thomas Richard Fox, 88, passed away on October 4, 2024 at the Heritage Park Rehab and Skilled Nursing Facility in Jamestown, New York. He was surrounded by his wife and children.
Thomas was born January 2, 1936 in Jamestown, New York. He was the son of the late George Chauncey “Dewey” and Miriam (Cooper) Fox.
Tom was a 1953 graduate of Pine Valley Central School where he played football, baseball, and basketball. After graduating high school, Tom attended and graduated from Jamestown Community College. He went on to attend Ohio University, where he received his Bachelors Degree in Civil Engineering. Tom spent his career working as a Civil Engineer for the New York State Department of Transportation. He retired from NYSDOT in 2003. He was the Engineer in Charge of numerous bridge and road construction projects spanning across the Southern Tier.
Tom lived most of his life in Conewango Valley, New York on the family farm and their home on Church Street. He was an active member and board member of the Conewango Valley United Methodist Church, the Ellington Rod & Gun Club and formerly of the Cherry Creek Masonic Brotherhood. Most importantly, he was the President of the “Cool Grandpa” Club!
He enjoyed many things, but none greater than watching his grandkids play sports and other activities. Grandpa never missed a game, even in a blizzard. He loved the Sunday Fox-Kickbush backyard “hot dogs and volleyball.” Other favorite past time activities were turning Bills games off at halftime, driving the tractor, and supervising the infamous pony cart fiascos on the Fox Family Farm. He took great pride keeping up the farm, maintaining the Fox legacy until he was physically unable. After working a full day as a Civil Engineer, Tom could be heard working on the farm late into the night. He also enjoyed singing and whistling at the top of his lungs. He loved to square dance with friends, where he met his wife, Cleone.
He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 63 years, Cleone Edith (Vollentine) Fox, whom he married on June 2, 1961 in the Ellington Congregational Church. Tom is survived by three children; Jodelle (Lane) Fox Peterson of Salt Lake City, UT, Martin David Fox of Park City, UT, and Bethany Gayle Fox of Randolph, NY. Tom has seven grandchildren; Bowen (Olivia) Fox Peterson, Hannah (Courtney) Fox Peterson Neves, Justus Fox Peterson, Caroline Fox Peterson, Alexis (Bram) Terrette Johnson, Peyton (Nyasha) Fox Gutu and Hillary Madison Fox. He has five great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents; Dewey and Miriam and his sister; Janet Fox Mansfield.
The family will receive relatives and friends from 4pm to 7pm on October 18, 2024 at the VanRensselaer & Son Funeral Home, 14 Church Street, Randolph, NY. The funeral service will be held on October 19, 2024 at 11:00 AM. The family will also be received one hour prior to the service in the Ellington United Methodist Church. The burial will follow in the Valley View Cemetery in Ellington.
The Fox Family would like to thank each of his caregivers at Heritage Park for caring for Tom the last two years.
To leave a condolence, you may visit www.vanrensselaerandsonfuneralhome.com
Memorials if desired, may be sent to the Ellington Fire Department or the Ellington Library.
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