John Foy Cross Jr.

1918 - 2013

John Foy Cross, Jr. December 1, 1918 - January 18, 2013 John Foy Cross, Jr. was born on December 1, 1918 in Cedar Falls, Iowa to parents John Foy and Edith Cross. He passed away peacefully at the age of 94 on January 18, 2013. He was the middle of three children, all boys. He grew up in Cedar Falls, Iowa, where his father owned a bookstore and was the mayor of the town. John graduated from Iowa State Teachers College in 1940. John served in the Army, then transferred to the Air Force when it first began. He served in World War II, stayed in the reserves, and was called to service a second time for the Korean War. He then went to Northwestern University for his master's degree in accounting, where he met his first wife Gloria, with whom he had five children. The family spent many summers on road trips around the United States. He spent many happy years in Chicago, Illinois working initially for Arthur Andersen. Later, he was appointed secretary/treasurer of Field Enterprises in Chicago, which was formed in 1944 by Marshall Field III and owned various properties, including the Chicago Sun Times and Chicago Daily News newspapers, World Book Encyclopedia and more. John and his family moved to Los Altos, California in 1973. After being divorced, he met and married Ruth Taylor Cross on June 17, 1984. They spent most of their married life in Palo Alto, California, where they enjoyed reading, dancing, attending the theater, playing bridge, socializing, and traveling. He also enjoyed going to breakfast every Saturday with his son John, who lived nearby. In 2008, John and Ruth moved to Bakersfield, California, settling in Rosewood Retirement Community, where he continued his love of reading, playing bridge with his son Scott, and socializing. John was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Jerry, and his wife, Ruth. John is survived by his five children and their spouses: Steve (Susan), Scott (Linda), Karen (Mark) Lochte, Jane (Keith) Tromburg, and John (Kathryn). He is also survived by his three step-children: Laird (Pam) Taylor, Pat (Dave) Hummon, and Roderic Taylor, and brother, Ted (Nancy) Cross and their four children and spouses. John is also survived by 10 grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren, and more friends than could be counted. A memorial jazz concert will be held at Rosewood Retirement Community Thursday, February 7, 2013 at 1:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the library at Rosewood Retirement Community. www.bakersfield.com/obits