Paul Thomas Fox

Paul Thomas Fox, 89, of Raeford, NC, passed away peacefully March 3, 2026, surrounded by his family.

He was born November 27, 1936, to Jason and Irene Hobbs Fox in Statesville, NC. He was predeceased in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Elisabeth J. Fox, his siblings David A. Fox (Martha), Mary O’Neal Fox Frye (Woodrow), Sylvia Ann (Sue) Fox Goble (Cody), Katie Lou Fox (Clyde), and his granddaughter Jennifer Hall.

Paul joined the United States Air Force when he was 17 years old and proudly served 22 years, including during the Vietnam War. Early in his career he met his future wife, Elisabeth, when he was stationed in Wiesbaden, Germany. After his military career ended, he brought her to his hometown of Statesville, NC. Paul loved farming, hunting, and fishing. He maintained his family farm after his father’s passing and enjoyed the banter with customers while selling fruits and vegetables at the farmer’s market, and he “never met a stranger” at any river, pond, pier, or other fishing hole. Paul cared for his community and his family dearly; for years he cooked breakfast each Saturday at the VFW, he often gave venison to needy families during hunting season, and he took care of his uncle Joe Fox for Joe’s last seven years until his death at 98 years old. Paul and Elisabeth greatly enjoyed vacations with their family, including several cruises, trips to Germany, Pawley’s Island, SC, Myrtle Beach, SC, Cherokee, NC and the Outer Banks, NC. They moved to Raeford to be closer to their family later in their lives.

Left to cherish his memory are his two daughters, Miriam Arguello (Tony) and Loretta Fox-Shanks (Andy), his grand-daughter Stephanie Inderlied (Matthew) and grand son-in-law Chad Hall (Angela), and great-grandchildren Preston Hall, Davis Hall, and Ada Inderlied and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will occur at 11:30 am on March 19, 2026 at Pinecrest Funeral Home, 4721 Dunrobin Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348 with a Celebration of Life ceremony commencing at 12:30 pm. Graveside service will follow at 2:00 pm at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 8220 Bragg Boulevard, Spring Lake, NC 28390.

The family would especially like to thank the great and loving care Paul received from his care givers at Home Instead, including Mafata Kamara, LaShalle “Peaches” Cook, and the great relationship we had with Savannah Johnson. Thanks also to Paul’s wonderful neighbors Buck Bullard, Jr. and Christy Locklear, whom he loved, for their love and care for Paul. Also, many thanks to the doctors and nurses at Cape Fear Valley Hospital and the loving care he received at Valley Hospice House.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in memory of Paul to the American Heart Association or the Alzheimer’s Association.

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