WILMINGTON — Judge James Carroll “Jim” Fox, 90, passed away Saturday, March 23, 2019, at home surrounded by his loving wife and family.
Born Nov. 6, 1928, in Atchison, Kansas, Jim was the second son of Jared Copeland Fox III and Ethel Carroll Fox. As a young boy, his family moved to New York and thence to Greensboro, where he spent his formative years.
He graduated from Woodberry Forest School in 1946 and UNC Chapel Hill in 1950. Jim married Katharine deRosset Rhett Dec. 30, 1950, to whom he was steadfastly devoted until his death.
Jim served as a vice president for Dillard Paper Company before returning to UNC Law School, from which he graduated with highest honors in 1957. Jim was invited to remain in Chapel Hill as a law school faculty member, but decided instead to take a position as a law clerk to Federal District Court Judge Donnell Gilliam in eastern North Carolina. Upon Judge Gilliam’s death in 1959, Jim entered private practice, with the firm Carter & Murchison, where he became partner in 1960.
Jim continued association with the firm (now Murchison, Taylor, & Gibson PLLC) for over 20 years. During his tenure in private practice, Jim served as New Hanover County Attorney for 13 years (1967 to 1981) while maintaining his corporate and individual clients. Jim further served his community on numerous civic boards, including Boy Scouts, Bradley Creek School PTA, United Way, St. John’s Art Gallery (now Cameron Art Museum), Civitan Club, Commodore of the Carolina Yacht Club, UNC Board of Visitors, First Union Bank, Davis Healthcare, Children’s Home Society and St. James Episcopal Church Vestry.
Jim was appointed to the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina by President Ronald W. Reagan on Sept. 13, 1982. His nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate later that month. Jim’s active service on the federal bench spanned 35 years. He was privileged to work alongside hundreds of dedicated United States court and law enforcement professionals, in addition to a list of distinguished law clerks and practicing members of the Federal Bar. Jim was a fierce advocate for the integrity of the judiciary and took great pride in their work.
Jim’s devotion to family always came first and foremost. He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Kate; three children, James Carroll Fox Jr., Jane Fox Brown (Michael) and Ruth Fox Jordan (Jay); nine grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter, Allen Carroll Fox; and brother, Jared Copeland Fox IV.
Jim was an avid outdoorsman who enjoyed sailing, fishing and wing shooting. Throughout his life, he dedicated a great deal of time and resources to the conservation and management of waterfowl, specifically through his work at Oakley Plantation on the Cape Fear River, which he purchased in 1963 and actively managed until his death. It was at Oakley that he found great enjoyment hunting ducks with his family, friends and many faithful dogs. When not hunting or otherwise engaged, Jim, with Kate always at his side, traveled extensively by sail on their boat, Vixen, and to more distant places by air. He also enjoyed woodworking, having made many pieces of furniture as gifts for family and friends.
The family will receive visitors at Edge Hill. Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, March 27, at Saint James Church, Wilmington, followed by burial in Oakdale Cemetery.
Memorials may be made to St. James Episcopal Church Foundation, or to Lower Cape Fear Hospice.
Share online condolences with the family at Andrews Mortuary & Crematory.
