Albert Cross

Albert Lindell Cross, 70, a lifelong resident of Loveland went to be with his Lord and Savior on Thursday November 15, 2012. He died suddenly from complications of lung cancer while at home with his wife JaNean. Al was born on October 12, 1942 in Greeley to Henry Albert Cross and Ellinor Gayle Hockett. He was raised in Loveland where he graduated from Loveland High School in 1960. He worked for local farmers in the area where he found his love of the land and animals which became his lifelong passion. Al graduated with an Associate degree in Agriculture from Northeastern Junior College in Sterling. He was employed by Pure Gas and Chemical Company in Loveland where he met and fell in love with Effie Clara Brown. Al married Effie and Susan (Effie's daughter) April 27, 1966 at the First United Methodist Church in Loveland. They made their home in Loveland where Sandra was born. In 1970 he moved his family to Riverton WY where he continued to work with Pure Gas and Chemical. In 1972, Ray Patterson afforded Al the opportunity to start his farming career at the Caldwell Farm east of Johnson Corner. Over the years, Al acquired leases on neighboring farms, moving the family to the Edlund Farm and then settling in 1984 on what became their home place on County Road 3E. At the height of his farming career, Al farmed over 1000 acres, owned and operated a 300 sow hog-farrowing operation, worked with neighboring dairies to feed and return their calves, and in later years ,had feeder cattle. Al and Effie were known throughout the Loveland area for vegetable production including sweet corn, tomatoes and cucumbers which they sold “u-pick” from their farm. Al farmed for over 40 years, within a two-mile radius of the original farm. He was passionate about water conservation, which lead to his involvement with the Harry Lateral Ditch Company. He was committed to being an excellent caretaker of the ground entrusted to him. He served on the Colorado Farm Bureau board of directors and was a founding and lifelong member of the Thompson Valley Young Farmers. He was fortunate to live his entire life doing what he loved. In 2009, Al's beloved wife and partner of 42 years passed away after batteling cancer. Throughout life Al quietly helped many people, which eventually led him to meet JaNean Ryan, a recent widow, in need of his farming expertise. In God's divine plan, JaNean now owned the original Caldwell farm, which Al agreed to again farm. In January 2012, they were married and made their home on the same land, bringing Al's relationship with the area full circle. He will be remembered for his love of family, gentle spirit, quiet way, kind heart, helpful nature, inquisitive mind, steadfastness, honesty, work ethic, and his breakfast of bacon and eggs. He is survived by one sister, Martha Barksdale of Colorado Springs; wife JaNean Ryan Cross; daughters Susan (Mike) Daily of Louisville KY, Sandra (Alan) Payne of West Haven UT; Steve Ryan of Loveland, and Rob Ryan of Idaho Springs ID; four grandchildren: Heather and (Telly) Sellars, Chad and (Amanda) Daily all of Louisville KY; Josh and Jaycob Payne of West Haven UT; 6 great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and an abundance of friends. He is preceded in death by his wife Effie, his parents, and his two brothers David and Edwin Cross. Services will be held on Friday November 23, 2012 at 11:00 at the First Christian Church in Loveland. Internment will be at the Loveland cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Beggars' Gate Church All Cross Memorial Fund in care of Kibbey-Fishburn Funeral Home.