Sox Brewster, beloved husband, brother, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and uncle, passed away at home surrounded by his family in Akron, Ohio at the age of 92 on December 13, 2023. He was preceded in death by his parents Albert J. Brewster, Jr. and Ruth D. Brewster.
Sox was passionate about learning and received a comprehensive education. He graduated from Culver Military Academy, attended Akron University, earned a BA in Economics from Dartmouth College, and an MBA from Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth. In addition, the American College of Financial Services awarded him with the designations of Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC), as well as an MS in Financial Services and Management. Sox was an insurance agent and financial advisor for more than fifty years at Northwestern Mutual. He received several awards during his career, including the Humanitarian of the Year Award from the Akron Chapter of the Associated Underwriters.
Sox served his community, nation, and family his entire life. Among the many ways Sox served was his decades of leadership in the Boys Scouts of America (BSA) Great Trail Council and Troop 69, guiding dozens of young men to become Eagle Scouts, the highest achievement attainable in the BSA program. Sox, himself, received the Silver Beaver Award, which recognizes adult leaders who are of exceptional character and who have provided distinguished service within a council.
Sox served in the U. S. Army, the Ohio National Guard, and the United States Army Reserve (USAR). His list of training and honors is extensive including intelligence officer’s courses, Ranger School, and earning the National Defense Service Medal. After many years on staff at the 2077th USAR School, Sox retired from military service in 1991, having attained the rank of Colonel. Sox also served as an admissions officer to The United States Military Academy, where he mentored candidates through the admissions and nomination processes to West Point.
In addition to Sox’s commitment to service, he had many interests. He rode in the Black Horse Troop at Culver, was a member of the Ohio Epsilon Phi Delta Theta chapter at Akron University, as an amateur boxer won the Akron/Canton Golden Gloves Tournament, played rugby and football at Dartmouth, and earned his private pilot’s license. Throughout his life, Sox was an avid reader and a wealth of knowledge on almost any subject with a special interest in government, geography, and most notably, both American and military history. Sox also enjoyed camping, hunting, the shooting range, carpentry, storytelling, spending time with Troop 69, and especially his family and friends. Above all, Sox’s passion was serving and educating/training others.
Sox leaves behind his beloved wife of 69 years, Lois Walker “Susie” Brewster, his sister Linda Jackson and his four children: Albert J. “Jay” Brewster, IV; Brad Brewster; Susan Tavenor (Tom); and Christine “Tina” Sturmi (Jim). Sox and Susie have seven grandchildren: Albert J. “James” Brewster, V (Lauren); Andrew Brewster (Christina); Nathan Tavenor (Kristen); Daniel Tavenor (Faith Blackburn); Laura Kopp (Kyle); Kyle Benadum (Mallory); Chris Tavenor (Kim). They also have seven great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
If you wish to join the Brewster family in celebrating Sox’s life, calling hours will be held at Billow FAIRLAWN Chapel, 85 N. Miller Rd., Fairlawn, OH 44333 on SATURDAY, January 6, 2024, from 2-3 p.m. followed by a memorial service with military honors from 3-4 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations to The Great Trail Council, Boy Scouts of America, to support Camp Manatoc. Donate here: https://onecau.se/gtcmemorials