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James Ralph Cross
1926 - 2013
James Ralph Cross, 86, passed away peacefully on Feb. 22, 2013, at the Regency Village Care Center in Austin, Texas.
Jim was a devoted and loving father, talented electrician and woodworker, proud of his WWII Naval service, loved music, and passionate about baking pies and cookies.
He is survived by two daughters, Lynn Cross Erickson and her husband, Steve, of Austin, Texas and Sandra L. Cross of Chicago, Ill.; a brother, Robert M. Cross and his wife, Nancy, of St. Croix Falls, Wis.; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Merrill and Dagmar (Holm) Cross; wife, Janet Cross; sister, Norma Remus; nephews Jeff Smith and Lincoln Cross; and niece, Mary Kieckhoefer.
Born on April 11, 1926, in Kenosha, Wis., Jim was educated in the local schools. He graduated from the Milwaukee School of Engineering with an Associate Degree.
Jim enlisted in the Navy on June 6, 1944. He was stationed at Great Lakes, Ill., and St. Louis, Mo., and served in the Philippines aboard the USS Rigel. He was awarded the American Area Ribbon; Asiatic-Pacific Area Ribbon; Philippine Liberation Ribbon and the World War II Victory Ribbon. He was Honorably Discharged on June 23, 1946.
Right after the war, Jim worked at Nash Motors, which later became AMC, as an assembly line worker. In 1948, he married Janet Johnson and raised a family. While working at AMC he was an electrician, Supervisor and retired in 1981 as an Electrical Engineer after 35 years of service. He was an avid bowler, golfer, and baker winning multiple ribbons at the Kenosha County Fair and the Wisconsin State Fair. In 2006, at the age of 80, he moved to Austin, Tx., to live with his daughter and her husband.
The family would like to thank Dr. Joe Spann, Dr. John Fisher and the staff at the VA for the extraordinary care provided to their father.
A celebration of Jims life will be held in Austin, Texas on March 9, at 11 a.m. at the Oakhill United Methodist Church and in Kenosha,Wisconsin on a date and time to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to a charity of your choice in Jims name.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
6 Entries
Dear Lynn and Sandy,
I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. I remember how welcoming he was in your home when we were kids, and his sense of humor. It's people like him that we remember all our lives.
God bless you and your family. Connie(Konrad)Kapp Celebration, Florida
connie konrad kapp
March 12, 2013
Dear Lynn, so sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. I remember going to your house, as kids & how we were always welcomed!! How beautiful, the china cabinet was, in the kitchen, that your father made. So many good memories. My thoughts & prayers are with you & your family. Daune(Larson) Belluomini Elgin, IL
March 8, 2013
Steve and Lynn, I'm sorry for your loss. I'll always remember "The House That Jim Built" back in Kenosha, and how patient he was.
Tom Mikolyzk
March 6, 2013
Dear Lynn & Sandy, Thinking of you during this difficult time. I have childhood memories of when our families would get together for visits. Our mothers were friends.
Donna Martin (Juzwik)
March 4, 2013
Sandy, sorry about your Dad's passing, I know he was a great man. I knew your dad since I helped Rita Travanty with her husband Bob and I remember your dad always visiting. For sure you will miss him as most of us. John Torres
March 3, 2013
To Sandy and the entire Cross family,
Please accept our deepest condolences on the passing of your father. May God hold you all close at this difficult time. You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers.
Steve and Kris (Olsen) Thrailkill
March 3, 2013
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