Obituaries

Harry Richard Cross

Photo of Harry Richard Cross
Harry Richard Cross, 88, of McGehee, Arkansas passed away on November 19, 2015. Harry was born in McGehee, Arkansas on November 5, 1927 to Arthur and Lucille Cross and had one brother, Arthur, Jr. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother. Survived by his wife of 66 years, Beverly; three sons, Harry Richard Cross Jr. and wife Vickie of Ft. Smith, Ark., Craig Arthur Cross of Little Rock, Ark., and Clay James Cross of Las Vegas, Nev.; grandchildren, Richie Cross and Tiffany Backus and her husband Taylor; great-grandchildren, Bennett Backus, Clayton Backus, and Walker Backus. Harry lived and worked in McGehee all of his life. He started working at the very young age of 12 delivering telegraphs by bicycle. In his early teens, he delivered groceries and made ice cream for Dairyland Ice Cream Company. He still had time to participate in school activities including the marching band, football, softball, basketball and he also ran track. In addition to all of these activities, he was a volunteer fireman the last two years of high school. His love of music stayed with him throughout his life. He could play most instruments and had his own band that played locally for many years. Harry joined the Army in 1946 after graduating from high school. He had basic training at Fort Polk, Louisiana, sent by troop train to California where he boarded a ship to Japan for two years. Harry resumed his life in McGehee and married Beverly Jeanne Bayne in 1949. He continued his work with the fire department, eventually becoming Fire Chief. He was also with the McGehee police department and was a Desha County deputy sheriff. During this same time, he was City Director of Civil Defense. He also took over the ambulance service for the city. Many of these jobs were overlapping. He also tried his hand at running several businesses though the years before returning to the Police Department. Upon retiring from the Police Department, he started working for the Delta School District at Rohwer. After a few years, Harry returned and worked for the school district in McGehee. During all of these years, he also volunteered and was involved in many community organizations and events. These included the Masons, Kiwanis Club, the American Legion, VFW and Boy Scouts. He was a member of the First Baptist Church. Harry was always thankful for his wonderful loving family. He gave "his all" to his family, friends and community, never wanting any recognition for his time, effort and service. Visitation will be held 1-2 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service in McGehee, Ark. Graveside service will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, November 21, 2015 at McGehee Cemetery in McGehee, Ark. with Dr. Ed Balducci officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to McGehee First Baptist Church, 312 W Seamans Drive, McGehee, Ark. 71654. Arrangements by Griffin-Culpepper Funeral Service of McGehee, Ark. Online guest book may be signed at www.griffinculpepper.com.

Published November 21, 2015

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