Fred Vernon Fox, age 88 of Franklin TN.
Born in Tennessee in 1929, Vernon spent his childhood learning the many lessons taught when one is raised on a farm by hard-working parents. Responsibility. Integrity. Honesty. Fairness. Faith. Humility. And he came by his sense of humor from his fun-loving mother, who cracked jokes until she died at age 102.
Vernon began his professional career in 1946 with the Nashville Banner, a local newspaper, where he advanced from office boy to staff photographer.
He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War, and was initially based in England. He missed his sweetheart, Claudia Cherry, so she joined him in England where they were married in 1951. Eleven months later, son Michael Vernon was born. Son Stephen John followed once they had been transferred stateside. Daughter Janet Cherry came along after his military service was completed.
Vernon retired from the United Methodist Publishing House after twenty-nine years. He was a founding member of Crievewood United Methodist Church in Nashville.
Vernon enjoyed spending time on a golf course, and delighted in the friendly banter and bragging rights that came from winning dime-a-hole bets off of his close friends and family golfing buddies. He passed on his fondness for the game to his sons and grandsons.
The family farm on which he was raised always held a special place in Vernon’s heart, and he maintained the beautiful Williamson county property, with help from his family, as long as he was physically able to do so. We’ll take it from here, Daddy.
The biggest piece of his heart was reserved for his wife and family. He loved his family. His family loved him.
He was a very good man.
Preceded in death by: Parents, Fred Herald Fox and Lettie Bessie Parham Fox; Son, Michael Vernon Fox; Brother, John Herald Fox and Sister-in-Law, Frances Fox; Twin sister, Lettie Verna Fox (who died as an infant). Survivors include his wife of 66 years, Claudia Cherry Fox; Son, Steve Fox; Daughter, Janet Fox; Grandchildren, Austin, Kelsey, and Stephen Fox; Great Grandchildren, Kamryn and Keegan Fox; cat, McGuire Fox; and many other family and friends.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home on Monday, November 27, 2017. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 28, 2017 at 12:30 pm with Pastor Peter van Eys, officiating. Visitation one hour prior to service. Family & friends will serve as pallbearers & Honorary Pallbearers.
Burial will follow in Greenbrier Cemetery, Franklin, TN with Military Honors.
