David Cross

David Judson Cross was born on July 3, 1931, in Jackson, Missouri, to Emmitt and Violet Cross. He grew up in Missouri and then attended Arkansas College where he met the love of his life, Patsy. They fell in love and were married on February 14, 1953. He then joined the U.S. Air Force and was honorably discharged in 1954. They then moved to Michigan where they had four daughters - Janis, Patricia, Anne and Sherri.  He became a 6^th grade teacher which he continued until he became a principal for the last 3 years until his retirement in 1991. He was the most loving and gentle father and participated fully in the care of his daughters from cooking dinners to fixing their hair and tying bows on their dresses.  He enjoyed playing basketball and softball on the church leagues and watching Detroit Tiger baseball and any team from the University of Michigan.  He loved nothing more than spending time with his family. While his family was young, they traveled the country in a travel trailer creating wonderful memories. In later years, he and Patsy did extensive traveling both in and outside the country.

He was known as kind, gentle and compassionate. He had a way of making people feel comfortable and heard. It was a wonderful gift he gave to everyone he knew.  Since his passing, his family has been honored to hear so many stories from caregivers, friends and people he interacted with that called him “a truly loving family man”, “a strong leader” and “filled with quiet strength”. His daughters knew him to be all those things and more.

A large gap will be left in the lives of his daughters, Janis (Steve) Byrn, Patricia (Rick) O’Neal, Anne (Edward) LaFriniere and Sherri (Kevin) Daugherty; his grandchildren, Marci (Andrew) Frick, Marc (Colleen) Byrn, Trish (Aaron) Hager, Kristin (Scott) Palermo, Breanna (Justin) Suida, Amber LaFriniere, Tara Daugherty, Payton Daugherty, Jessica O’Neal, Mallory (Trevor) Kuzee and Maegan (Jake) Smith, Caitlin Frick and Brendan Frick; 10 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Dale (Karen) Cross.  Currently celebrating with him in heaven is his wife Patsy and his siblings, Jim Cross, JoyAnn Bullock and Shirley Murphree.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 4, 2019, from 5-7 p.m. at Matthysse Kuiper DeGraaf Funeral Home, 6651 Scott St., Allendale, Michigan.  An additional visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 6, 2019, from 5-7 p.m. with a service to follow at 7 p.m. at Bagnasco & Calcaterra Funeral Home, 13650 East 15 Mile Rd., Sterling Heights, Michigan, 48312. He will be buried next to Patsy at Christian Memorial Cultural Center.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association.