Francis J. “Tim” Soxman
Francis J. “Tim” Soxman (W3ZVT), age 71 years, of Hopwood, Pa., son of the late Louise Rex Soxman, died on Saturday, September 19, 2009 at his home after a brave battle with lung cancer and resulting complications. In addition to his mother, he was also preceded in death by his brother, Richard “Dick” Soxman.
He is survived by his wife, Leslie Dietz; his cherished daughter, Jessica Hamilton, son-in-law, Robert Hamilton of Morgantown, West Virginia; a grandson, Landon Hamilton; step-daughter, Abigail Dietz of Arlington, Virginia; cousins: Jane Flesher of Hopwood, Pa., Jill Sample of Pittsburgh, Pa., Robert Rex of Indiana; and nieces and nephews. He will be sorely missed by friend and music teacher Mary Lou Swaney of Uniontown, Pa., and fellow music students as well as faithful and tender care givers: Malissa Bolish of Uniontown, Pa., Nevada Haut of Connellsville, Pa. and June Shultz, Uniontown, Pa. His two Pembroke Welsh Corgis, Clancy and Cassy, will be lost without him.
“Tim” was born in Uniontown Pennsylvania on June 7, 1938 and graduated from the former North Union High School.
He received an Associate Degree in business from the University of Tampa, Florida during his twenty-three years service in the United States Armed Forces from his enlistment in January 1957. He was attached to the United States Air Force and served as a Paratrooper and as a Communications Specialist, including service in the Vietnam War and postings in Morocco, London and the United States, achieving the rank of Master Sergeant. He twice received the Air Force Commendation Medal and was awarded The Bronze Star Medal “for meritorious achievement in ground operations against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam during the period 8 October 1967 to 20 November 1968.”
Upon his Honorable Discharge from the service, “Tim” returned to Uniontown and became first a Caseworker and then Supervisor at the Department of Welfare, retiring July 2, 1999 when he taught himself to be a fine machinist and invented and produced the Sox Key, a miniature telegraph key for the transmission of Morse Code, for which he won The Richard Harvey Foundation Award for Outstanding Design and Workmanship. He also produced the Vari-speed, an accessory for telegraph keys and repaired antique keys for collectors around the world.
“Tim” was a ham operator enthusiast, a lifetime member of W3PIE (the Uniontown Amateur Radio Club) and was active in both their emergency network and all other club activities.
He served on the Board of Domestic Violence Agency as Chairman, Officer, and Board member for 17 years often keeping them afloat with his own funds.
“Tim” was a silent philanthropist, privately slipping money to someone in need, searching for and finding a needed item for someone who couldn’t locate it, carrying leftovers from dinners to those who were living on fixed incomes. He was generous to a fault, both with money and his heart, and the world is a poorer place for his loss.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the ANDREW D. FERGUSON FUNERAL HOME INC., 80 Morgantown Street, Uniontown Pa., where the family will receive friends today, September 22, 2009 from 2 until 4 p.m. and 7 until 9 p.m. Visitation will continue on Wednesday, September 23, 2009 from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. A service celebrating Tim’s life will be held at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Mark Edwards officiating. Friends and family will be invited to speak briefly during the services, sharing their experiences with “Tim”, to let him know that he was loved and appreciated. Please plan to join this segment of honoring “Tim” with your memories of him.
Interment will follow in Sylvan Heights Cemetery.
Military Rites will be accorded by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 47.
Memorial emails may be sent to the family at memorials@adferguson.com