"Another of the "downtown" family who has passed - He will be missed. I always enjoyed Tom - both from his days in the store downtown, as well as when he worked at cable vision. He was always honest, positive, and a gentleman. Please accept my sincere condolences for your loss. Martha Lang"
In loving memory of
Thomas H. Fox
July 16, 1929 - December 28, 2010
THOMAS FOX MUSCATINE, Iowa - Thomas H. Fox, 81, died Tuesday, December 28, 2010, at his home. Private funeral service will be held at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Casket bearers will be Travis Fox, Dan Welk, Tracy Nelson, Matt Welk, Ryan Fox, Brad Schafer, Mark Schafer, and Scott Schafer. Burial will take place in Greenwood Cemetery. Public visitation will be from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, January 2, 2011, at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorials may be left to the Muscatine Youth Baseball Scholarship Fund. Tom was born on July 16, 1929, in New Canton, Illinois, the son of Howard and Sara Sebers Fox. He married Julia L. Marks on July 15, 1950, in Hannibal, Missouri. He graduated from the New Canton High School in 1947, where he played baseball, basketball, and track, earning 12 letters. He served as President of his class all four years of high school. He attended Western Illinois University and also the University of Illinois. He served as a sergeant in the 503rd Combat Military Police Battalion from 1951 to 1953, during the Korean Conflict. In 1953, he rejoined the Midwest Department Stores as a merchandise manager at Halback and Schroeder in Quincy, Illinois. He also managed McCabe's in Rock Island, Illinois, and Young's Department Store in Kansas City, and the Batterson Store in Muscatine. Tom and Julia owned and operated Fox's Clothing Store from 1962 to 1984. He then worked as an ad representative for TCI Cablevision, retiring in 2000. He had been a member of the Muscatine Y's Men's Club, Kiwanis, Muscatine Quarterback Club, Elk's Lodge No. 304, and the Muscatine Little League, where he served as manager for many years. He also served as a board member of the Muscatine Chamber of Commerce, Brush Buster Club in New Canton, Illinois, and was a charter board member of the Muscatine Development Corporation. Tom thoroughly enjoyed his family and especially playing and watching sports with his grandchildren. He was an avid Cardinals fan and Iowa and Iowa State fan, depending on which family member he was with. Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Julia Fox of Muscatine; one son, Steve Fox and wife, Carol, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; two daughters, Tammy Welk and husband, Tom, of Muscatine, and Charla Schafer and husband, John, of Muscatine; eight grandchildren, Travis Fox and wife, Corey, Dan Welk and wife, Renee, Tracy Nelson and husband, Jeff, Matt Welk and wife, Ashley, Ryan Fox, Brad Schafer, Mark Schafer, and Scott Schafer; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister-in-law, Doris Ellison of Canton, Missouri. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Tributes
"Our deepest sympathy to the Fox family. I have known Tom since my days as Muscatine Journal carrier. I have always had a fondness for Tom & the entire family. I'm sorry I will be out of town and unable attend today's visitation. Your family is in our prayers."
"thanks, Tom."
"For the Fox family, Dick and I will miss Tom. He was such a delightful man. Our sincere condolences to all of you at this sad time. Dick and Gail Petersen"
"I'm very sorry for your loss.I learned a lot from Tom.I'll never forget the Christmas seasons we all worked together at the store."
"Sending deepest sympathay and heartfelt thoughts you. Hoping that your warm memories of Tom give you comfort."
"Tammy and Family. I am so sorry for your loss Tammy. You have my deepest sympathy. Pat Globes Carter"
"We are so sad to hear about Tom. We are thinking of you and your family."
"We were so sorry to hear of Tom's passing. I have many good memories of Little League, the clothing store and the many times just bumping into Tom and spending time visiting about anything and everything. I'll miss those times, but will cherish them. Our thoughts and prayers are with you now."