Eugene Cross

Eugene J. Cross, 84, of Jackson passed away peacefully in his sleep Saturday, Feb. 1, 2014, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Nov. 6, 1929, in Stanley, Mo., to Talbert E. and Ideal Williams Cross. He and Edna E. Graham were married July 23, 1994, at Portageville, Mo.

Eugene was a veteran of the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

He received a master's degree in education from the University of Missouri. He taught vocational agriculture and shop at Portageville High School and had also worked for DAEOC. He became vice president of human resources at Noranda Aluminum Corp. of Nashville, Tenn., retiring in 1991.

Eugene was a member of First Baptist Church in Jackson and its Harvester Sunday School Class. He was an avid golfer and bird hunter.

Survivors include his wife, Edna E. Cross of Jackson; a daughter, Susan (Donald) Meyer of O'Fallon, Mo.; a son, Steven E. (Toni) Cross of Manhattan, Kan.; two stepsons, Perry D. (Charlotte) Jackson of Jackson and Randall S. (Robbin) Jackson of Wappapello, Mo.; two brothers, Mack "Rusty" Cross of Portageville and Buford "Boots" Cross of Hayti, Mo.; nine grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren and two more expected.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a sister and four brothers.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Lucas Clabough officiating. Entombment will be in Cape County Memorial Park Mausoleum.

Memorial contributions may be given to Parkinson Foundation or First Baptist Church of Jackson Building Fund.

Online condolences may be made at fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.