Thomas Edward Fox, of Wolf Point, passed away peacefully, surrounded by family on September 17, 2014. Tom was 65 years old.
Tom was born to Edward and Joan (Andre) Fox on August 27, 1949; the oldest for six children. He spoke often of the years growing up on the farm outside of Franklin, Minnesota. At age 16, the family moved into town and Tom graduated high school in 1967. He attended college in Wilmar, MN until 1969 when he traveled to Montana to attend the College of Great Falls (University of Great Falls). It was there he met his wife and love of his life, Trudy McGowan. They were wed on March 6, 1971 in Great Falls. When he graduated in 1974, with a BS Degree in Business and Sociology, two job opportunities presented themselves one in Chicago, Illinois and one in Wolf Point, Montana. He opted for Wolf Point, because he had “spent a summer working at O’Hare airport in Chicago and never wanted to live east of the Mississippi again.”
In October 1974, he began working for Wolf Point Implement as the Parts Manager, later bought into the dealership and managed it until 1987. At that time he partnered with his long- time friend, Bill Rathert, in Rathert Fox Ford for 26 years and continued with his son, Mike, in Fox Ford until his death. Always loving farming, he purchased a small farm east of Wolf Point in 1990 and became an avid collector of John Deere tractors, specializing in the “30” series. His favorite was his John Deere 8020, #41 of only 50 built. He loved children, especially his grandchildren, and was always excited when youngsters would visit, putting them in the driver’s seat of a John Deere or Ford taking them around the farm. Tom loved spending time and visiting with family and friends and telling a good story. A successful and admired businessman, he was active throughout the years in various community events and organizations, as well as his parish, Immaculate Conception Church. He enjoyed his travels around the United States, Europe and Mexico with his family and friends, but loved exploring Montana the most and returning to his roots in Minnesota.
He is survived by his wife Trudy of Wolf Point; his mother Joan Fox of Redwood Falls, MN; children, Tiffaney (Reynaldo) Quintana and grandson Zachary of Menlo Park, CA, Michael (Laurie), grandsons Jack and Callan and granddaughter Ella of Wolf Point; and Jason Hruby of Pasadena, CA; siblings, Andy of Pine City, MN, Kevin (Sue) of Franklin, MN, Mary Anne (Devon)Glover of Idaho Falls, ID, Peggy (Perry) Ziegenhagen of Owatanna, MN and Joe (Jody) of Inver Grove Heights, MN; uncles Fr. Robert Fox of Wolf Point and Jerry (Toni) of Inver Grove Heights, MN, aunt Sr. Roseanne Fox of St. Paul, MN and numerous nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly. He was preceded in death by his father, Edward.
Vigil services will be held on Monday, September 22, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at Immaculate Conception Church in Wolf Point and Mass will be celebrated there on Tuesday, September 23, 2014. A reception will follow at the family farm. If friends desire, memorials may be made in Tom’s name to Immaculate Conception Church (Box 789, Wolf Point, MT 59201) or NEMHS Foundation (Box 341, Poplar, MT 59255 or email: foundation@nemhs.net).
Condolences for the family may be left at www.claytonstevensonchapel.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with arrangements.