Junior Merle “Tub” Cross, 75, a resident of Parsons, departed this life Tuesday evening, Nov. 5, 2002, at his home. He had been in declining health and death was attributed to respiratory failure.
He was born Oct. 13, 1927, in Parsons, the son of the late Elva John Cross and Flora Summerfield Cross.
On May 3, 1952, at Parsons, he was married to the former Eula Mae Bright Cross, who preceded him in death on Nov. 26, 2000.
Surviving are three daughters, Susan Elaine Cross of Parsons, Diane Grace Tennant and husband, Mark, of Fairmont, and Shellie Faithe Cross of New York City, N.Y.; three grandchildren, Tamara Lynn Ends and husband, Danny, of Holly Meadows, Christopher J. Watson of Morgantown and Amanda Faye Watson of San Diego, Calif.; and several nieces and one nephew.
He was the last surviving member of his immediate family and was preceded in death by one brother, Edwin Bud Cross; two sisters, Catherine Bailey and Wanda Upton; three half brothers, Everett Cross, Gerald Cross and Roy Ferguson; and three half sisters, Juanita George, Marie Campbell and Midge Swartz.
He attended Parsons High School and served with the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean Conflict.
He was a member of St. John’s United Methodist Church.
He was a mechanic for the former Webb Ford Sales of Parsons and was a mechanic with the R.H. Armstrong Contracting Co. of Parsons for more than 45 years, retiring in 2001.
He was a former Parsons City Councilman and was an expert chair and basket weaver.
The family will receive friends at the Barb & Greenlief Funeral Home today from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Final rites will be conducted at the funeral home parlor on Friday at 1 p.m. The Rev. John Morrison will officiate and interment will follow in the Parsons Family Cemetery at Shavers Fork. The Barb & Greenlief is in charge of the arrangements for Junior Merle “Tub” Cross.
