G-A community mourns past president of Old Home Week

A long-time Greencastle businessman and civic-minded citizen died Friday.

Tom K. Fox, 91, owned Fox Buick from 1949 until 1989. He served as Old Home Week president in 1974, and joined the OHW Association Board of Directors. He was a founding member of the East Greencastle Development Corporation and served in leadership roles in Greencastle Rotary, Greencastle-Antrim Chamber of Commerce, the G-A Industrial Development Authority, Citizen’s National Bank, Evangelical Lutheran Church, and other organizations.

Fox had last been a resident of Menno Haven in Chambersburg. His wife, Mary Elizabeth Goetz Fox, preceded him in death in 2000.

Grandson Andy Everetts remembered Fox as a humble man who loved his community.

“He was always proud of Greencastle and Antrim Township, and felt fortunate to be successful in his business,” said Everetts. “He attributed that to the support of the community and great employees. He told me that’s why it was important to give back, that civic involvement and volunteering were important.”

Everetts, treasurer of the OHW Association, and Ben Thomas Jr., 2010 president and board member, noted that Fox felt honored to serve in the title role 39 years ago.

“He was a great mentor for Old Home Week,” Thomas said. “He was a great person and highly respected.”

Dick Fisher, 1968 OHW president, noted that Fox had been the second oldest living past president. Fox was Director Emeritus at the time of his death.

All agreed that Fox had a way with people. He was able to make friends with everyone, and spoke well of all, despite any differences.

“He was humble, and considered himself blessed to have business sense and people skills,” Everetts recalled. “He always told me mistakes were fixable and to count your blessings.”

Fisher said, “Personally he couldn’t be beat. He was very compatible and always treated you right. He was well-loved here.”

Thomas credited much of the economic growth in the area to Fox’s contributions. He also learned how proud Fox was to have served in the Army, specifically at the Battle of the Bulge.

“He was glad to fight on foreign soil so the war did not come to U.S. soil.”

Fox is survived by his daughter Jane and her husband Russell Everetts, grandson Douglas and his wife Christina, great-granddaughter Taylor Everetts, grandson Andrew and his wife Jenniffer Everetts, and several nieces and nephews. He was also preceded in death by son Larry Fox, six sisters and four brothers.

The funeral service was Wednesday morning at Evangelical Lutheran Church, with burial in Cedar Hill Cemetery.