Thomas Jess Cross

Thomas Cross Obituary

Cross, Thomas Jess
Feb. 8, 1954 - Dec. 27, 2008

Thomas Jess Cross, 54, Osprey, formerly of Binghamton, N.Y., died Dec. 27, 2008.
Services will be private.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia; a daughter, Amber; and a brother, Gerald.
Tom was a 30-year resident of Sarasota. He was a well-known local environmental instructor and activist as well as an international artist, specializing in fantasy art.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the "Tom Cross Educational Fund" in care of Dowd Whittaker CPA's, 1521 S. Tamiami Trail, Suite 303, Venice, FL 34285.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Herald Tribune on Dec. 31, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for Thomas Cross

15 Entries

Debbie Teeter Blum

January 28, 2009

Tom and I spent many hours of our early lives together.Those who know me know that I lived up the street from Tom and our parents were good friends.
I had heard something last year from my brother, who lives in Sarasota, about Tom being ill. I tried to catch up with him last January while visiting my dad in Sarasota. I couldn't find him. This morning Donna Ryan called to tell me about Tom's passing. I was in Sarasota for Christmas this year!!
While I never met his family, my dad tried to keep me updated on him.
We were neigborhood "buddies" and spent many Winter days sleigh riding down the hill across from his house. I guess we both hated the snow and ended up moving to the South.
I am so glad to have known Tom...my only regret is I didn't get to stay in touch with him through our adult years.
After reading the comments from others, I can see now how much he loved life. He was used in a special way and I look forward to seeing him again.
My heart goes out to his family. God Bless, Debbie Teeter Blum

Joe Di Mascio

January 10, 2009

Kim Walling flaged me down to let me know of Tom's passing. We spent a few moments with our hearts in our throats. We have nothing but good memories of Tom, my last being camera wars at the thirthieth reunion. I am sorry for your lost, but one gift of an artist is they live forever among us and Tom gave it with pleasure. Peace.

Donna (Trebilcock) Yost

January 7, 2009

I'm looking at a picture of Tom right now - our 6th grade class picture that Casey Tombs framed and sent to me! After graduation I only saw Tom at reunions, but he never changed a bit. He always had such a great attitude and positive take on everything. I'm so proud of what he accomplished in his life both personally and professionally. My condolences go out to Patti and Amber. I know you'll miss him very, very much.

Brenda Humbert

January 7, 2009

Dear Patti & Amber,

Am so very sorry to see this in the paper about 20 minutes ago. It stopped my heart for a moment. I really hoped & prayed & thought he might ultimately win this nasty fight. Makes me most sad, and also glad that I was able to see you all this past summer at Jess's (your) Farm. Am sure that Mom & Dad were there to greet him as well as Elsie & Gerry, Hector & Lil & a host of others, & am only happy to know that this isn't the end, and that he is free at last of the disease now, & dancing with the angels (& a few faeries & wizards!) Am sure he will also be here to guide you on this path. May you find some peace, comfort & strength in knowing that, in each other, & in happy, fun memories you have. If there is anything at all that I can do for you from here, please don't hesitate to ask. Thinking of you now, and always.

Brenda

Wormuth Oscar and Evelyn

January 7, 2009

Jerry and Betty we are very saddened by the news of Tom. As best friends of your Mom and Dad we were very interested in Toms artistic ability. We are very proud owners of one of is finest painting. It will always be a wonderful memory of your great family that we loved. Our hearts and prayers are with you at this time.
Affectionately, Oscar and Evelyn Wormuth.

Leslie Linsky Beck

January 7, 2009

Dear Patti and Amber:
I heard the Florida memorial service for Tom was beautiful; that the clouds parted and the sky turned incredible shades of red and purple. Perfect! I think about him every day; about his bravery, his love of his family, friends, and life. I will always remember his compassion. How he put his own battle to the side to make phone calls to help me find an oncologist, and his words to me when I most needed to hear them: " You're going to be just fine." How lucky we all were to have him in our lives!

Ed Abdallah

January 7, 2009

My condolences to you on your loss. Tom and I were friends back at Broome CC. I always think of him fondly and remember when Mike Darcangelo, Lee Cirba, Casey Tombs and I went out to Ohio State and visited him in the worst snow storm I was ever in. We had such a fun time at the Ohio State Football game and Tom as always was a great host. Again, my sincerest sympathy to his family.

jacki transue

January 7, 2009

to toms family,
i knew tom in school and remember many fun times in art class with him, he was always a kind good hearted person and a fantastic artist my heart and prayers are with you and my god hold you in the palm of his hand in this difficult time, i now will look at sunsets and think "i know tom painted that for us all still here on earth"

Taylor (Tami) Marye-Baker

January 4, 2009

Patti and Amber, my thoughts are with you now. Tom was an amazing artist and an amazing man. I remember when you first introduced me to him...in some little cafe... i told you afterwards "he's a keeper!" And he was.
Even though I haven't seen you in many years, not since that trip when we met up in New York City..I wanted you to know that knowing Tom changed my life. When my husband,Marcus, met Tom on that trip to Florida back in January 1993 it changed his life. He'd been fascinated with computers and had done programing..but after meeting Tom and seeing what could be done with Photoshop it transformed him. Tom was the Wizard that inspired and transformed my husbands life and mine by association.
I am so sorry for your great loss. Tom was a keeper and will be kept in our hearts forever.

Kit DeMarsh

January 3, 2009

Just as Tom taught us about the web of nature he taught us about the web of friendship and family. He wove his friends and family into his art, his life and he wove all of us together. We watched Amber blossom into a beautiful fairy and young woman and Patti become more lovely and enchanting each year. We are all forever grateful to and strengthened by Tom. XO, Steve, Kit and Ben DeMarsh

Patrick Smith

December 31, 2008

Patty & Amber
I am so sorry for your loss. I found it very couregeous of the Cross Family to make the effort in celebrating Liebe's wedding just a few short weeks ago. I am very thankful to have seen the three of you there. Having known Tom was such a compassionate fighter with his illness is a lesson for us all.
You are in our prayers
Smitty

Jono Miller

December 31, 2008

Tom was not a close friend of mine, but he was a good friend and good ally. We got to know each other and work together on the Oaks and Midnight Pass. I think I was lumped in with Tom and Rob Patten (who who knows who else) as "the bearded boys and banjo players" that "criped the bejabbers" out of curmudgeonly elder environmentalist Jim Neville. Jim and Fred Duisberg were some of the early defenders the coast and didn't always see eye to eye with us upstart "young" allies.

I knew Tom as a goldsmith from upstate New York who bonded with Sarasota and started a career in computer-assisted illustration. Tom was the first person I knew who could successfully blend photographs and illustration in Adobe Photoshop. He spent years, professionally and as a volunteer, using illustration (and video) to inform citizens about this region's barrier islands and bays. Tom and I collaborated on a user's map of Sarasota Bay. I got it started in Adobe Illustrator and Tom eventually rescued me and finished the project. We need more artists committed to illuminating our natural environment, people willing to write and illustrate works such as : A Field Guide to Trapped Magic: Water.

My big regret is that he didn't live to see resolution of the Midnight Pass issue. Tom was centrally involved in the closing and (together with Dave Jemison) they documented the story of the ill-fated pass closure.

His ability to communicate reformed itself in his half-decade long epic contest with lung cancer, his unearned nemesis. Rather than hiding, he approached it openly, with humor, and kept many people informed not only about his status, but the cruel realities of lung cancer unrelated to smoking. He will be missed.

Denise (Maughan) Fugere

December 31, 2008

Amber and Patty,
Please accept my most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. My thoughts are with you a during this difficult time.

David Rathbun

December 31, 2008

All of us who knew Tom were touched by his intelligence, kindness and talent. The world will be a smaller place without him.

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