J.T. Fox

James Thomas Fox, fondly known as “JT,” came into this world on April fool’s Day of 1929, tucked between the mountains of Crabtree, North Carolina, to his parents, Harvey and Zora Brinkley Fox. Alongside JT were his two half-sisters, Clara and Alice, and a half-brother Willard. Throughout James Thomas’ childhood, there were many enjoyable years spent hunting, camping, and fishing while attending school in the Windom area. These years were not put to waste, as JT demonstrated from a young age that he could succeed in anything he put his mind to, excelling in both academics and athletics. Transitioning into life as a young man shortly after graduating high school, James Thomas’ knack for tinkering and bringing machinery back to life made its world debut at his job at Western Auto and then for a brief time in Detroit, Michigan in manufacturing. Upon his return from Detroit to the mountains, JT met the lovely June Wilson, his soon-to-be wife, while working in the textile factory. On May 5, 1956, at the age of 27, they married after he completed basic training in the Army. Returning to the Army, JT was called to travel halfway across the world to serve as a mechanic in Germany. His time included 1 ½ hard years away from his newlywed wife; however, James Thomas’ mechanical service in the Armor Division graced him with an honorable discharge and ranking of Private 1st Class along with several commendations. JT had graduated first in his class from the Army mechanic’s school and he was undeniably gifted with his hands. JT always had a hunger for knowledge in understanding the way things came together and worked. Fixing things up seemed to be second nature to him.

Returning from Germany, JT worked with Hammarlund Manufacturing Company of Mars Hill, NC where he filled the role of production planner for the manufacture of short-wave radios, undoubtedly a job that utilized his attention to detail. He then spent two years in Atlanta, Georgia, working as a production line technician for the newly opened Ford Motor Company plant. The years of saving and working overtime in Georgia finally lead to his return home to Burnsville. JT and June Fox settled down in Burnsville, where they built and opened “Fox’s Outlet,” a local dry goods business. JT took great pride in handpicking the store’s merchandise, traveling all over the southeast to purchase the finest clothing and cloth to stock his new business. Exciting things continued to take place for the Foxs in Burnsville, in addition to the recent construction of “Fox’s Outlet”, JT also assisted and oversaw the construction of his new family home on land formerly owned by his father Harvey off of Rice Road. JT was blessed to spend his last days in this home. As time went on, JT’s passion for the past and his talent for fixing things took the center stage, causing the couple to transition their store into the antique business. “Fox’s Outlet” was renamed “Days of Yore Antiques,” and JT went from searching for quality clothes and dry goods to hunting for treasure! He had an eye for overlooked and lost items of value and, through the years, spent great time and effort in not only the mechanical repair of the objects purchased but also the artistic restoration of nearly anything you could think of… clocks, pottery, China figurines, and dishes. It wasn’t just the fixing up that he enjoyed; JT loved the whole process of antiquing, from the thrill of the hunt to the history of the item, to the people he met along the way that helped share it all with him. JT learned from a young age when times were hard to never take things for granted, and his whole life reflects this sentiment. He never tried to let a bargain slip through his fingers, and he found the greatest of joy when he could appreciate anything of value with others. Age was but a number to him!

Despite the many treasures he collected and shared with the world, the thing he valued most in this life were the relationships he found along the way. June Fox was the love of his life, his support, his caretaker, and his best friend. They were married for 66 years. Unique to many relationships, they worked together in business, day-to-day life, and marriage. It was truly amazing to see how they tenderly took care of each other through the ups and downs of life. The loss of their infant son, David, always weighed heavy on their hearts and both helped nurse each other back from illnesses multiple times. Their love brings new meaning to “in sickness and in health,” and their patience with one another can be compared to none other than what Christ has taught us to do: serve one another in love (Galatians 5:13). During their many years together, June and JT loved to grow their own food in a garden. They were sure to tend a garden wherever they lived, and they went to great effort to preserve the fruit of their labor, canning vegetables their children and grandchildren would enjoy years into the future. JT also made sure to line his Rice Road driveway with bountiful blueberry bushes, which are still fruitful to this day! Family, friends, and neighborhood chickens and guinea hens are forever indebted to him for this wonderful decision. Although JT had many beloved friends, it goes without saying that he prioritized his relationship with the good Lord above all else. He spent countless hours studying the Bible and sharing what he learned, as well as inquiring for further insight from others and the Lord since his acceptance of Jesus as his personal Lord and savior as a young man. JT and June have recently been members of Shoal Creek Baptist Church, and both hold gratitude for the community and the loving support they found there. We can never know enough about God on this side of heaven but let us find comfort that one day we will all come to know the Lord face to face, just as JT now has.

JT passed into the heavenly realm on Thanksgiving morning on November 24, 2022, after a brief illness. Our family is beyond thankful for the life and the love he shared with us. JT is survived by his wife June, a daughter Barbara June “Judy” and son-in-law Robert Branch of Burnsville, a daughter Kathryn “Kathy” and son-in-law Bruce Crawford of Florence, SC, a grandson Jonathan M. Bacon and wife Beth of Greensboro, NC, a granddaughter Aubrey Crawford of Florence, SC, a grandson Seth Crawford of Florence, SC, a great-grandson Jonathan R. Bacon of Greensboro, NC, a great-granddaughter Emma Goodson of Greensboro, NC and a great-granddaughter, Addy Rose Bacon of Greensboro, NC. JT will be greatly missed by his loving family.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that gideon bibles be donated in J.T.'s memory. 

Holcombe Brothers Funeral Home is respectfully serving the Fox family. 

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