John Fox, 1939-2020

On July 12, 2020, Cedar Mill lost an impactful member of our community. A lifelong liberal, John Foz coped with the 2016 passing of his wife Carol by throwing himself into political activism in his community, Cedar Mill. His activism led him and a neighbor to found Indivisible Cedar Mill, a chapter of the national Indivisible movement. He guided the club’s activities and hosted monthly meetings in his living room, which rearranged as an auditorium to host up to 75 participants. His home became the hub of activity from sign-making parties to letter writing campaigns. He was unequivocal to his last moments that defeating Trump at the polls is an imperative.

Fox was born in 1938, growing up in the golden age of cowboy movies. He always attributed his core values—keeping one’s word, and being a good neighbor—to his favorite Westerns. Community was always a priority in his life. He co-founded and guided a public speaking club, hosted an annual neighborhood Fourth of July breakfast, and started a monthly neighborhood social group. As a responsible and responsive landlord, he maintained high-quality homes for his tenants while also providing guidance with employment, legal help, or just help with a personal problem.

At home, John cared deeply for his wife Carol and his two children, John and Shannon. Connor and Keely saw a softer side of their grandpa, though lessons in compound-interest were still suffered. John was a natural teacher assisting with all manner of school assignments, and volunteering countless hours at the kid’s schools. It was with great love and pride that John ensured college funding for his grandchildren, knowing the advantages education provides.

Never shy of a topic or opinion, John knew his prickly demeanor was a screen for a huge heart, packed with love and integrity. The Terra Linda neighborhood lost a true friend and loved one, and Cedar Mill lost a champion. He will be missed by many. If the final measure of a man is how people remember him, then let their stories always begin with, “this was a good man.”