Anthony George Fox

Anthony George Fox, 90, passed away peacefully at home on April 22, 2025.

Tony was born on Feb. 20, 1935, in Dorchester, Dorset, England, the third of four children born to Samuel and Frances Fox.

His father, Sam, was a veteran of the British Army in the First World War and after guarding barges on the Rhine River after the war, Sam returned to England and became a school teacher. The family enjoyed a modest and happy upbringing.

During the Second World War, the family lived near the English Channel coast and the D-Day invasion beaches in France. They had two American soldiers billeted with them prior to the invasion. Tony enjoyed their stories of life in the United States and they would bring him exotic simple pleasures like canned fruit cocktail. Thus began a love affair with America that would unknowingly lead to his living there.

Tony was an exceptionally gifted student and went to St. Peter’s College, Oxford on a scholarship earning a master's degree in Chemistry. While a student at Oxford, he witnessed the breaking of one of the great all-time sports records: the four minute mile by Roger Bannister in 1954.

He emigrated to Canada on an ocean liner in 1958 seeking new employment and adventure. He settled in Sarnia, Ontario where he met and married the love of his life Vilma Ince in 1959. All three of their children were born in Canada. In 1970, he was promoted and transferred to Chattanooga, to build and become the first plant manager of the Polysar Latex Company (now BASF) chemical plant.

Tony and his family loved living in America and he fast became a Tennessee Vols football fan. When it came time to be transferred back to Canada for a promotion, he decided to stay in the U.S. This became a time of great sacrifice as it was difficult to secure an immigration green card and involved several jobs and a brief move to Minnesota. Ultimately, he commuted to Louisville, Ky., for two years to work for a division of Michelin Corporation that made rocket fuel sealants for the space shuttle. He received his green card and was eventually asked to join the main Michelin Corporation but again decided to remain in Tennessee instead of transferring.

Tony next let his entrepreneurial spirit take over and he initially purchased the Koch’s Bakery in Chattanooga from the Kochs and then ultimately purchased a film camera company Beattie Systems, Inc. that manufactured and sold cameras and accessories worldwide.

In retirement, he enjoyed playing golf, solving the daily cryptic crossword puzzle and traveling with Vilma but most of all loved the visits with his family, especially his grandchildren.

Tony was predeceased by his parents, Samuel and Frances Fox and is survived by his three siblings Patricia Burrows, William (Lynda) Fox and Deirdre Fox Palmer (all of England) and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his three children: Michael (Maggie) Fox of Hixson, Jocelyn (Richard) Draaisma of Dallas, and Laura (Ken) Burton of Prattville, Al. Tony had five wonderful grandchildren whom he adored: Madeline (Taylor) Johnson, William Burton, Bridget Draaisma, Kristen Burton and Sam Fox.

The family would like to extend heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the caregivers of Hearth Hospice, Gooden’s Compassionate Care and Alexian Healthcare.

A visitation for Anthony will be held Saturday, May 3, from 1-2:30 p.m. at Chattanooga Funeral Home-North Chapel, 5401 Highway 153, Hixson, TN 37343, followed by a celebration of life at 3 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Tony’s memory to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or the Salvation Army.

Arrangements are by the North Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory and Florist, 5401 Highway 153 Hixson, Tn. 37343. Please share your thoughts and memories at www.chattanooganorthchapel.com