Frank Fitzgerald Rox

Frank Fitzgerald Rox, Jr., 68, of Decatur, Georgia, died peacefully on Wednesday night, January 17, 2023.

Frank was born on June 7, 1954, in Decatur, Georgia, to Katherine Ann Edelblut Rox and Frank F. Rox, Sr. He grew up in Decatur where he was a graduate of Druid Hills High School. He attended Southern Methodist University for two years transferring to Emory University where he graduated in 1976 and in 1979 from Emory School of Law, where he was commissioner of the softball league. Following graduation, Frank met Jane Harris on a blind date and married two years later. They were married 41 years this November.

After graduation, Frank began his 32 years at the National Labor Relations Board, retiring as Senior Trial Attorney. During his tenure at the board, he was the lead counsel in obtaining the largest prelitigation settlement in the Southeast Region at that time. He also served as Chairman of the Labor and Management Section of the Georgia Bar Association. After retiring, he was recruited as a consultant for Lehr, Middlebrooks, Vreeland, and Thompson in Birmingham, Alabama. He worked there until diagnosed with Progressive Supranuclear Palsy. During his time with Lehr, Middlebrooks, he averted a strike with BP pipeline workers in Alaska.

Frank loved his friends and his family, especially his only granddaughter. He is predeceased by his mother, Katherine Ann Edelblut Rox and his father, Frank F. Rox, Sr. He is survived by his wife, Jane Rox; their son, Patrick Fitzgerald “Pete” Rox (Emily); one granddaughter, Susannah Rox; his step mother, April Hopkins Rox; his sister Anita Cooper (Danny); two nieces (Hollie and Natalie); two great-nephews (Andrew and Connor); and one great-niece (Claire).

Frank was larger than life. He loved hosting friends in his basement den where he would wax poetic on various topics, usually delighting or displeasing whomever was in attendance while continually asking anyone to pour him another drink. Most times he would end the night with his Shamus McGregor joke for the thousandth time.

Being a true red and black Bulldog fan, he delighted in back to back Championships and was still celebrating the Braves’ World Series win.

Frank waged a courageous battle with PSP, a rare neurodegenerative disease, for more than 5 years. He was cared for by his wife, Jane, who tried to maintain as normal a life as possible until he moved to Safe Haven Personal Care Home (Brookhaven) for his last 4 days.

It is with gratitude that we remember the kindness shown by Longleaf Hospice for the last 4 months and by Safe Haven for his last days.

An Irish Wake to celebrate the life of Frank Fitzgerald Rox, Jr., will be held on Saturday, February 4, 2023, from 3:00 until 5:00 PM at the Rox Family Home.