Joe Hendricks Fox

With a heavy heart, Austin Peay State University's athletics department announces that Hendricks Fox, an alumnus, veteran, and longtime philanthropist, passed away Saturday. He was born on May15,1929 on Lick Creek, Tennessee.

Hendricks Fox is preceded in death by his parents, Charlie and Elizabeth Fox; brother, Charlie Fox Jr.; sisters, Sarah Fox and Lois Davis. He is survived by his loving wife, Michele Fox; children, Michael Walker (Laurie), Michele Smith (Jeff), Annie Neidert (Joey), and David Walker (Amber); grandchildren, Reece Walker, Reanne Elmore, Reagan Smith, Walker Smith, Haleigh Scott, Evan Walker, Jacob Neidert, and Jonah Neidert; great grandchildren, Shawn Elmore and Aubrielle Walker; and brother, Tom Fox (Mary).

A four-year player during some of the most successful seasons in Austin Peay's early history, Fox was a vital part of the 1948 VSAC championship team, which went 8-2, and was a captain in his final two seasons, including a 1950 campaign which earned him All-VSAC honors.

After graduation, Hendricks joined the military and served with the 7th Marine Division during the Korean War. He was elevated to Captain and received the Bronze Star, the Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal. Hendricks was inducted into Austin Peay's Inaugural Military Hall of Fame Class in 2022.

Fox was among a group of former Aaron players, called the Dave Aaron Founding Fathers, who reunited several years ago during Homecoming to raise funds for the Dave Aaron Scholarship Endowment in Aaron's memory, one of APSU's largest endowments.

Fox was also instrumental in restoring scholarship football to Austin Peay, raising $500,000 to establish the Fox Endowed Football Scholarship and receiving the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Philanthropy in 2009.

As a result of his Governors football support, a "Walk of History" was named in his honor in Fall 2014. The Hendricks Fox Walk of History - located at the southwest entrance of Governors Stadium adjacent to Black Jenkins Plaza catalogs the names of all the student-athletes over the 70-plus years of Governors football history.

A member of Austin Peay's Legacy Society, Fox received the Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Philanthropy for his philanthropic efforts in 2009. He was inducted into the Red Coat Society, recognizing his longtime financial support of Austin Peay Athletics in 2014. He ultimately was inducted into the Austin Peay Athletics Hall of Fame in 2019.

Addendum:

Hendricks was also influential in the METRO school system for over 30 years having served as an assistant principal at North, East and Stratford High Schools. Additionally, he worked part time as a lifeguard at Centennial Pool and also at Aladdin Industries where he was a guard.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Hendricks Fox Scholarship Football Endowment APSU Foundation, PO Box 4417, Clarksville, Tennessee 37044.

Special thanks to Aveanna Health and Hospice Care, Village Caring and Bright Star Home Health for their special care of Hendricks during his illness.

Visitation will be held at Harpeth Hills Funeral Home on Wednesday, December 20, 2023, from 11:30am until the hour of service. The funeral service will begin at 1:30pm in the chapel. Burial will be at Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Nashville, Tennessee on Thursday, December 21, 2023 at 9:00am.