Arthur Gilmer Cross Sr. 93, beloved father, brother, grandfather, great-grandfather, cousin, uncle, and friend passed away on Thursday, August 27, 2020 at Medical City Hospital, Fort Worth, Texas.
Graveside Service will be conducted at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 5, 2020 at Woodland Park Cemetery, Mineral Wells, Texas.
Mr. Cross will be lying in state starting on Wednesday, September 2, 2020 with a public viewing (along with some family members) on Friday, September 4 from 6:00 p.m.- 8:00 p.m., at Baum Carlock Baumgardner Funeral Home, 302 W. Hubbard, Mineral Wells, Texas 76067.
Arthur was born March 3, 1927 in Palo Pinto County, son of Leon Cross Sr. and Alberta Smith Cross. He graduated from Dunbar High School May 1944 and attended Langston University in the state of Oklahoma. Arthur enlisted in the United States Army in 1945. He served as a Munitions Worker during World War II and was Assigned to the 697 6th Infantry Division in Ausbach, Germany. As a proud soldier, Arthur was Honorably Discharged and received the World War II Victory Medal.
He met the beautiful Billie C. Nickerson and they married on July 5, 1957. They spent 49 years together before her passing in 2007.
Arthur was a faithful member of Hughes Chapel C.M.E. Church where he served as treasurer, trustee, Sunday School Superintendent and Finance Committee Chair.
Arthur was an employee at the Historical Crazy Water Hotel in Mineral Wells. After many years, he retired from TexBoro Industries as the Cabinet Department Supervisor. Arthur played football in High School. He also sang in a singing quartet with his brothers and led by his father. As a skilled artist, one of Arthur’s signature art pieces was displayed on the front page of Langston Universities School Annual.
Arthur’s love for his family and his faith in God were both vital to him as life itself. He was widely known and appreciated for his great sense of humor and his ability to make others laugh.
Arthur was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Billie C. Cross; brothers, Leon Cross Jr. and Albert Cross; son, Ronald Eugene Kemp.
Survivors: brothers, Herbert Cross and Leslie Cross Sr; cousin, James McMillian; children, Hazel Kemp Nickerson, Arthur Cross Jr., June Manning, Victor Cross and wife Regenia, Patsy Cole and husband Lonnie, Rex Cross and Billy Cross. Arthur and late wife, Billie, were blessed with a Godson, Chris Little and Goddaughters, Fredia Sneed and Sandra Paraham; twenty-two grandchildren; twenty-nine great- grandchildren; nine great-great- grandchildren; as well as many extended family members and host of friends.
The family would like to thank all who provided care for Arthur during his brief time of illness.
Flower arrangements for the family should be sent to: Baum Carlock Baumgardner Funeral Home, 302 W. Hubert Street,Mineral Wells, Texas 76067.
Resolutions can be brought to the graveside service or sent to Charletra.Sharp@gmail.com.
Baum-Carlock-Bumgardner Funeral Home
