Rest in Peace, Uncle

Mike found out earlier this week that Uncle Gordon has gone home to God. He has been battling Parkinson’s disease.

FOX, Gordon L., 80, of Richmond, died peacefully on February 6, 2012 after battling Parkinson’s Disease for 30 years. He is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Burneil Grimes Fox; daughters, Janet Dobbins of Arlington, Kathryn Fox (Dale Martin) of Ft. Collins, Colo., Rose Holliday (Rick) of Arlington; son, Gordon L. Fox Jr. (Patti) of Glen Allen, and 11 grandchildren. He is also survived by a sister, Ruth Macoy of Pittsburgh, Pa.; brothers, Roger Fox of Stockport, Ohio and Tom Fox of Fallbrook, Calif. He was born in Zanesville, Ohio, enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1953, and in 1957, returned to finish his education at Ohio State University. After graduation, he moved to Arizona, where he had met Burneil at a church dance. He had a 33 year career in Human Resources with Reynolds Metals Company, transferring from Arizona, to Michigan, to headquarters in Richmond. Life was always an adventure for him and his family, whether mountain climbing, flying, skiing, or vacationing at the ocean with the family. Finding a Catholic church on these trips was always a priority. In Michigan, he was very active in the Catholic church and Junior Achievement. He was a good friend to his neighbors, always willing to lend a hand and tools. He became active in the search for a cure for Parkinson’s and participated in several drug studies, raised funds and is a past president of Richmond Metro Chapter of American Parkinson’s Disease Assoc. (APDA.) He donated his brain for research to the VCU Brain Tissue Resource Facility. The family would like to thank all the wonderful staff at Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center and Bon Secours Hospice for their loving care. Visitation will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Friday, February 10, at 11 a.m., followed by the Mass of Christian Burial at noon. The burial will be in Greenwood Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Richmond Metro Chapter of APDA, P. O. Box 70283, Richmond, Va. 23255

Mike had hoped to attend the funeral today in Virginia, but it didn’t work out. So Mike, Cecelia, Leona and myself (Sue), attended the morning daily Mass at Church of the Resurrection at 9:00 am. This is a shorter version that the regular Sunday Mass. At the ‘Prayers of the Faithful’, Father will start by sharing the common prayer concerns and a prayer for the person that this Mass was dedicated to. Then members in the Our Lady of the Resurrection Day Chapel will add their prayer requests out loud. Today we shared a prayer of comfort for the Gordon Fox family as they handle their loss.

Fox Family Annual Camping Trips

The Roger and Mary Fox family would have a 3 week camping trip in the summer and would often travel to Arizona to visit with Roger’s brothers: Gordie, John and Tommy. There were many other stopping points during their camping trips, but this was a way to stay connected with distant family. Mike remembers traveling at least three times to Arizona and other trips to Michigan.

Another of Mike’s Memories

On one of the first Fox-VonVille reunions, before Mary and Roger Fox built their home, Mike remembers going for a hike with Grandpa, Roger Fox, Uncle Tommy, Uncle Gordie and Floyd Wiles. This hike happened after the annual meal held on Labor Day weekend. Uncle Gordie took a bottle of beer with him to drink. He was questioned why he did not bring a can with him and just smiled. They walked around and up to the top of the ridge. He finished the beer before they reached the top. “What’s that over there?” Uncle Gordie said and threw the bottle the other way into a brier patch. Today some adventurous person can go up there to retrieve the bottle to redeem the deposit of this bottle from Michigan.

From Rose Holiday's Facebook Photo Album

Father's Day Joy Ride with Jan