Victor “Vic” Fox was born on August 12, 1936, in Atlantic City, New Jersey to George and Ernestine Northcutt Fox. Vic’s life was fueled by a high intellect and marked by an abiding, unyielding fidelity to honor and integrity in all of his pursuits.
Having lost both parents by age 13, Vic was parented by his aunt, Effie Northuctt Dunn and her husband, Wood Dunn of Corinth, KY. Vic was a member of the first graduating class of Grant County High School, where he was active in sports and school clubs. He held both an undergraduate (BA) degree and a graduate (Juris Doctorate) degree from the University of Kentucky. He was admitted to and practiced before the U.S. Supreme Courts of both Kentucky and South Carolina.
He entered the U.S. Navy immediately upon graduation in June 1954, as a seaman recruit and retired as a Captain in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps in August 1996. During that time, he spent 10 years on active duty and 32 years in the Reserve. His duty assignments as a hospital corpsman included U.S. Navy hospitals in Memphis and Bethesda, the USS Rochester, and the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. As a JAG officer, he served in the Pentagon, Office of the Navy Judge Advocate General, Marine Corps Base, 29 Palms, California; and Special Military Magistrate, Naval Base, Charleston, SC
As a civilian, he served the Attorney General of Kentucky as the lead attorney for the Beverly Hills Supper Club Fire as well as the State’s asbestos litigation. He was also responsible for Kentucky being one of the first states to computerize the Attorney General’s Legal Docket. He served on the Board of Governors of the Kentucky Bar Association and as a chairman of the KBA’s House of Delegates. Vic successfully argued three cases before the Supreme Court of the United States. He accepted a recall to active duty in the Navy to computerize the Navy Legal Docket, and during that recall graduated from the Navy Justice School.
A life member of the Navy League and the Military Officers Association of America as well as the American Legion and VFW, Vic gave countless hours advocating in Frankfort and Washington for veterans and providing free legal services to deploying service persons and their families. His hobbies included model trains, golf, ballroom dancing, vintage sports cars and travel, visiting all seven continents. His primary philanthropic interests were military memorials, the University of Arizona Sarver Heart Center, the University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center, Gill Heart Institute, and College of Public Health, KET, Best Friends Animal Rescue, and Life House no-kill shelter.
Victor was married to Virginia Fox in 1963. Celebrating fifty-seven years together. Though they never had children, they were blessed with numerous nieces and nephews with whom they were exceptionally close. Victor passed away, April 23, 2020, after a tough thirty-year battle with heart disease and attendant complications. We are grateful for his service to our country.
Victor Fox’s life was a testament to resilience, intellect, and unwavering service. From his early years in Grant County to his distinguished careers in both military and civilian law, Vic embodied integrity and dedication. His legacy is marked not only by his professional achievements but also by his deep commitment to family, community, and country. His contributions have left an indelible impact on all who knew him. May his memory continue to inspire and guide us.