Tuesday
May 7th, 2024
11:49AM
David Allen Fox, Sr. age 70 of Gainesville, passed away Monday, February 26, 2018.
A public celebration of life service is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, March 2 at First United Methodist Church in Gainesville with the family receiving friends at the church following the service.
David was born on New Year’s Eve 1948 in Atlanta, Georgia to Saul E. Fox and Sarah S. O’Neal. He grew up in Atlanta and Munich, Germany.
David earned degrees from the University of Georgia, the University of Georgia School of Law and the National College of Juvenile and Family Law. He was admitted to the bar in 1973 and was admitted to practice in Georgia, the Supreme Court of Georgia and Florida, and the 5th & 11th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals. David served as Special Assistant Attorney General for the State of Georgia (1980-1986), State Court Solicitor Pro Term (1978) and a Georgia Certified Mediator for the Supreme Court of Georgia (1994). As Hall County Juvenile Court Judge (1986-1990) he was instrumental in developing Georgia’s Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) program, which is now seen as one of the best in the nation. He was a member of the Gainesville-Northeastern Bar Association, serving as its secretary from 1976 to 1977, and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association. David was a longtime partner at Fox, Chandler, Homans, Hicks & McKinnon.
When David first started practicing law in Gainesville, he became close with a group of local young lawyers, and a brotherhood was created that still exists today. He was both a successful litigator and a well-respected mediator, who fought valiantly to bring his clients both justice and resolution. David discovered a true gift in mediating cases to help people resolve the most difficult and contentious issues. Many judges throughout North Georgia and the Atlanta Metro area paid David the high complement of specifically referring their most difficult cases to him to mediate.
His robust legal career could only be overshadowed by his devotion to his country and his community. David retired as a U.S. Army Captain, serving from 1970-1977. He also served as president of the Gainesville Rotary Club, Hall County American Cancer Society, and the Hall-Dawson Georgia Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). He served on the Board of Advisors for Brenau University, was Treasurer of the Christian Education Center, and was the director of the Lanier Area Council of Child Abuse. He was passionately active in his church, Gainesville First United Methodist Church, where he was a board member, Sunday School teacher, Disciple Bible study leader, and member of the Cross Ties Sunday School class. He was an Assistant Scout Master at Troop 16 where both his sons (Allen and Jackson) achieved the highest rank of Eagle Scout. A member of Leadership Hall County, David was awarded Kiwanis Club Youth Service Award. Finally, David was a coach for numerous sports at Gainesville Parks and Recreation and could often be found on the tennis court or at any Gainesville High School athletic and performing arts event.
David was probably one of the busiest people most people had ever met. Although he continued to be a busy lawyer, helping people every day, he found time for so many other things that interested him. He developed a passion for refereeing basketball games throughout North Georgia. He even went back to school and taught at Lanier Technical College. Helping other people and connecting with other people were what made David thrive. He had a servant’s heart and inspired everyone who knew him with his outpouring of love and generosity of spirit. His zest for life was contagious, and it was absolutely impossible to stifle a smile while in his presence.
Although David freely shared his joy and enthusiasm with everyone he met, those closest to him knew it was his wife and three children who served as the source of that great happiness. He was most proud of Mimi (his loving wife of 39 years) and being the “Greatest Dad” to Allen, Stacy and Jackson. He was their hero, and they, along with a host of other relatives (especially from the Jackson family) and friends, are grateful for the legacy of love, joy and selflessness David leaves behind.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Gainesville First United Methodist Church, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30506; Boy Scouts of America Gainesville Troup 16, 2780 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, Georgia 30506; Gainesville High School Theater Department, 830 Century Place, Gainesville, Georgia 30501; or to Eagle Ranch, 5500 Union Church Road, Flowery Branch, Georgia, 30542.
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, 989 Riverside Drive, Gainesville, GA 30501, 770-297-6200, or for those who desire online condolences at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com.
