Fox Ford, Inc. has witnessed an incredible amount of world history during its 100 years in business. Between 1921 to 2021, the company has witnessed a world war, a few depressions, Y2K, and now a pandemic. Despite it all, they are still here in Waynesburg, serving the community.
“Most family-owned businesses don’t get into the second generation, much less the third. It’s a real honor and privilege for us, and it’s a testament to the community who has supported us for all these years,” says Mark E. Fox, president of Fox Ford.
On July 18, 1921, L.L. Long founded the Mt. Morris Motor Company, where he sold new and used vehicles. Eight years later, the three Fox brothers-in-law – Ollie J. Fox, Raymond L. Fox, and Willis E. Fox along with Long– purchased the company to become a partnership. Eleven months later, the Great Depression began.
They survived the depression and flourished enough that in 1941, the owners purchased real estate in Waynesburg and opened the Fox Motor Company. Nine months after opening the store, the federal government banned new vehicle production during World War II, forcing the company to adapt again.
“They got through [the depression and the war] by doing whatever they needed to do,” Mark says. “That included at times trucking, hauling gravel and red dog, repairing cars, selling gasoline and tires, in addition to selling cars.”
After WWII, the company continued to grow, and Ollie’s son, Robert W. Fox, joined the company as a mechanic in 1946. The company sold some of its branches to employees, including the Mt. Morris location and their Ford Tractor business. A new body shop was built near the Waynesburg location.
Robert bought Raymond’s share of the company when Raymond retired. The company incorporated in 1964 and became Fox Auto Sales Inc. in 1964. When Ollie died in 1965, Robert and Willis took over the corporation. More land was purchased east of the dealership and the used car operation was expanded. Robert’s sons, Ronald and David, joined the corporation in the mid-1970s. When Willis retired in 1978, Robert became the sole owner. In 1996, ground was broken for a new dealership. The business became Fox Ford Mercury, Inc. in 1997 when the current main building construction was finished.
Today, the grandchildren of Ollie J. Fox, Mark and David Fox, both manage the company; Mark serves as the president. Mark’s wife, Shari, works in their office, and their daughter Missy Sargent is their digital manager. Missy has also spent time researching and compiling the history of Fox Ford. It can be found on their website www.foxfordwaynesburg.com.
Outside of the family, Mark says several employees over the years have worked with the company for decades. There’s an office manager who’s worked for 52 years, a shop foreman for around 30 years, a parts manager for 34 years, and a service writer for 33 years. The list goes on.
“We’ve had a lot of longevity. I think that speaks to the fact that we’ve always tried to be somewhat family-oriented and internalistic in nature, caring about not just getting the job done but about people and their families,” Mark says. “I think that’s part of our success.”
Community service was and still is a large part of the Fox family. For instance, Mark’s father, his brothers, Mark himself, and many employees have volunteered for the Waynesburg Fire Department for several years.
“Many, many, many, times when the fire whistle was blown during the daytime, a lot of us went to the fire and left whomever here to take care of this, but that was first because someone needed us. There’s been lots of days, especially when I was younger, when you’d be out three or four hours on a fire call.”
During COVID-19, the company contributed vehicles to keep the community healthy. They loaned McCracken Pharmacy a vehicle used to deliver medicines, and no-cost leased a vehicle to Cornerstone Care to transport vaccines.
“It’s just what you do. You give back, and you’re involved. It’s not all just take. It’s give, and I think that’s what we’re called to do,” Mark says.
While the COVID-19 pandemic delayed the centennial celebrations, they are still planning to commemorate their anniversary. Mark says the company is renovating their main building and lot so the property looks “brand new” for the celebration.
The more things change, the more they stay the same. Fox Ford’s history follows this, but in the best way. They’ve lived through a world war and a pandemic. They’ve adapted their business to survive depressions. The business’s name has changed several times. They’ve changed locations. Yet the people who run the company continue to focus on the same values: providing good customer service, building relationships, and selling quality products.
“We’re blessed with a lot of good people that work with us, lots of great customers, with the business, and we’re blessed to be a Ford dealer.”