Richard Edward Fox

1946 - 2025

Richard Edward Fox

October 27, 1946 - August 23, 2025

Richard Edward Fox, 78, beloved child of God, passed away Saturday, August 23, 2025, at Carolina Caring.

Born October 27, 1946, in Catawba County, he was the son of the late Ray Edward Fox and Gertrude Hafer Fox.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his daughter, Glenda Eugenia Fox; step-mother, Lucille Smith Fox; brother, Ray Leon Fox; step-brother, Wayne Smith; step-sisters, Phyllis Owens and Judy Reeves; paternal grandparents, William Pless Fox and Hester Estelle Little Fox; maternal grandparents, Homer Hafer and Carrie Stafford Hafer; mother-in-law, Freda Pope Bolick; brother-in-law, Harry Flynn; and son-in-law, David Wayne Welch.

Richard was a humble, giving servant of the Lord, who exemplified 1 Peter 4:10, "Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."

He was a member of Bethany Lutheran Church. Richard had an affinity for furniture, and to say he worked in furniture is an understatement, as it was also his hobby and a great source of enjoyment for him. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather, brother, and son, whose family meant the world to him and who will miss him dearly.

Richard is survived by his wife of 62 years, Brenda Pope Fox, of the home; daughter, Connie Fox Welch, of Conover, NC; grandson, Robert Edward Welch, of Conover, NC; step-grandson, Caleb Welch (Briana); great-grandchildren, Everleigh Welch and Watson Welch, all of Newton, NC; sister, Judy Fox Flynn, of Bethlehem, NC, and her children, Pam, Eloise, Barbara, Jennifer and Lecticia; brother, Gary Lee Fox (Debra), of Hickory, NC, and their children, Chris, Angie, Jonathan and Mandi; brother, Dennis Carroll Fox (Shelly), of Hickory, NC; step-brother, Larry Smith (Kathy), of Creston, NC; sister-in-law, Martha Fox, of Bethlehem, NC, and her children, Tabitha and Edward; aunt, Glenda Kanupp; sister-in-law, Nancy Jean Bolick, of Hickory, NC; brother-in-law, Ricky Bolick (Joyce), of Granite Falls, NC; nephew, Ricky Bolick, Jr; and Darrien and Waylon Killian.

The funeral service will be held at 12 p.m. on Thursday, August 28, 2025, in the chapel at Bass-Smith Funeral Home, with the Revs. James Slice Penny, and Karin O'Donnell officiating. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., with a reception to follow the receiving and service in the Jack Bass Memorial Building at the funeral home. Burial at Catawba Memorial Park will be private.

Pallbearers will be Caleb Welch, Chris Fox, Herman Fox, Wayne Blevins, Robert Smith, and Nathaniel Jenkins.

The Fox family would like to thank Dr. Philip Paspa for his care and genuine concern for Richard.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Samaritan's Purse, P.O. Box 3000, Boone, NC 28607, or Carolina Caring, 3975 Robinson Rd., Newton, NC 28658.

Bass-Smith Funeral Home in Hickory is serving the Fox family.