Richard Stanley Cross, 88, of Russell, Kansas, went to his new home April 10, 2021, while living at the Anthology of the Plaza in Kansas City, Missouri.
Richard was born August 1, 1932 to Lewis and Gloria Cross in Tonakaw, Oklahoma. Gloria went to be with the Lord in 1934. Lewis remarried. His new bride Maude Cross raised Richard as her own. Richard went to school in Tonkawa, Oklahoma but before he graduated high school he joined the Oklahoma National guard. On his 18th birthday his platoon was mobilized and he was sent to fight in the Korean war, where he served until 1953. Upon returning to the states, he finished high school and received his high school diploma and later graduated from Pittsburg State University in Pittsburg, Kansas.
Richard married his lifelong companion, Anna Hawkins Cross, in 1955, in Miami, Oklahoma. From this union was born Cynthia, Gloria, Duane and Gregory. Richard and Anna spent most of the 55 years in the Dorrance and Russell area where Richard ran the Sears catalog store until Sears closed. Richard then opened Hometown Brand Center and Rent to Own which he owned and operated for 25 years.
Richard is survived by his wife, Anna, who he was married to for 65 years and two daughters, Cynthia Messeck and husband Mike of Victoria, Kansas, and Gloria Homeier and husband James Schwien of Russell, Kansas, and 8 grandchildren. Michelle (Spencer) Casey, Tia (Mark) Homeier-Blehm, Nichole Henderleiter, Memory (Kraig) Buffington, Justin(Betsy) Schwien, Destinee(Nate) Braun, Rachael Schwien and Bobby (Lindsay) Homeier and 17 great-grandchildren.
Richard is also survived by sisters Geneva Teachman, Collinsville, Oklahoma, Louisa Spiser of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Darlene Ruch of Tulsa, Oklahoma, Nila Branch of Winfield, Kansas and Ila Vorasaph of Bangkok, Thailand and brother Edward Cross of Olathe, Kansas.
Richard was preceded in death by his parents, two sons Duane & Gregory Cross, one brother Douglas Cross and grandson-in-law Tim Henderleiter.
A graveside service to celebrate Richard’s life will be held at 10:30 A.M. on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at the Russell City Cemetery in Russell, Kansas. Military honors will be presented by the Russell V.F.W. Post #6240. Visitation will be from 9 A.M. to 8 P.M. on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, at the mortuary with family present from 6 P.M. to 7 P.M. Wednesday evening. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials given to the Russell Pride for the Rotary Splash Pad Fund and sent in care of Pohlman-Varner- Peeler Mortuary 610 N Maple Russell, KS 67665. Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary of Russell, Kansas is in charge of the funeral service arrangements.