Obituary - Gerald Sutton Cross

Gerald Sutton Cross

Gerald Sutton Cross, son of Granville Jackson “Jack” and Ada Mae (Sutton) Cross was born December 25, 1935 in Clinton, Missouri. He departed this life at Ellett Memorial Hospital in Appleton City, Missouri on Thursday, November 6, 2014 at 78 years of age, after a lengthy illness.

Gerald spent his early life in Independence, Missouri, moving to Rockville and then Appleton City, where he graduated from Appleton City High School in 1953. For two summers after graduation he followed the wheat harvest throughout the western states.

On November 10, 1957, Gerald was united in marriage to Judy Irene Umstattd and to this union two children were born.

Gerald purchased the Skelly Oil “full service gas station” located across from Citizen’s Bank (now known as Community First Bank) in May of 1957 from Leo Higgins and Vernon Dines. The business was the start of Cross Service. In 1969, Gerald sold the business to Jack Gragg and he and Judy opened an auto repair shop and towing service south of Appleton City, carrying on the Cross Service name. He rented office space to United Parcel Service (UPS) and was employed as their mechanic.

After UPS moved to their new facility, Gerald resigned as their mechanic to focus on his auto repair and towing business until his retirement in 2011. Gerald and Judy enjoyed going on many motorcycle trips to various states and events like the annual BMW rallies as long as his health permitted. He also enjoyed watching NASCAR racing on television and working in the garden.

The funeral service for Mr. Cross will be held at Hill and Son Funeral Home in Appleton City, Missouri on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 2:00 p.m. with Pastor Tony Reynolds officiating. The visitation will be at Hill and Son Funeral Home on Saturday, November 8, 2014 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. with interment to follow at the Appleton City Cemetery, Appleton City, Missouri. If you would like to make a Memorial donation, the family suggests the Appleton City Cemetery.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Kenneth J. and Wally Cross. Survivors include his wife Judy; his two children, Mike Cross (Janine) and Jackie Perry (Dane); brother, Dennis Cross (Gayle); sisters-in-law, Lena Cross and Debra Cross; six grandchildren, including Becky Hill whom Gerald and Judy developed a special relationship with; 10 great-grandchildren; several nieces and nephews.

Gerald will be greatly missed by his family and many friends he has made over the years.