Gerald Cross

Gerald Cross, 92, of Fort Smith passed away Monday, January 30th. He was born December 15, 1924 in Greenwood, Arkansas to Sudie and Fred Cross. He signed a baseball contract with St. Louis Cardinals after high school. He was owner of Fliteline Motors Incorporated and a member of the First Baptist Church in Fort Smith. He was a longtime supporter of the Boys Club and coached both Babe Ruth (Arkansas Best) and Legion (Vehicle) teams. He later formed the Fliteline slow pitch softball team which won many state and regional championships and competed in the slow pitch softball national tournament. He served in the US Army during World War II including the Battle of the Bulge.

Gerald was preceded in death by his parents; stepson, Ronnie Johnson; and his wife, Alma.

Graveside funeral service will be 1:00pm Thursday, February 2, 2017 at the U.S. National Cemetery in Fort Smith under the direction of Edwards Funeral Home.

The family will meet with friends from 5:30 pm -7:00 pm Wednesday, February 1, 2016 at Edwards Funeral Home.

He is survived by daughters, Kay Dill of Fort Smith and Carolyn Wilkerson of Pauls Valley, Oklahoma; son, Danny Cross and wife Terry of Fort Smith and stepsons, Chris Simpkins and wife Yolanda of Fort Smith, Rusty Simpkins and wife Marilynn of Fort Smith, Jeff Simpkins of Fort Smith; grandchildren, Michelle Cole and husband Kevin of Fort Smith, Donnie Cross and wife Candace of Fort Smith, Dr. Brian Cross and wife Barbara of Fort Smith, Danna Rodebush and husband Nick of Fort Smith, Ronnie Smith and wife Michelle of Fort Smith, Sammy Joe Smith of Fort Smith, Christy Reed and husband Greg of Newcastle, Oklahoma, Skylar Simpkins of Fort Smith and Jordan Simpkins of Conway, Arkansas, Alex Simpkins of Fort Smith, Rusti Leigh Cox of Hontubby Oklahoma, Lauren Hampton of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; sister, Della Ann Bryant of Myrtle Beach South Carolina; and 21 Great Grandchildren.

Pallbearers will be Ronnie Smith, Sammy Joe Smith, Donnie Cross, Dr. Brian Cross, Kevin Cole, Nick Rodebush and Chris Simpkins. A special thanks to Dr. Nelson and the hospice nurses at Mercy Hospice.

At the family’s request, memorials may be sent to the Fort Smith Boys and Girls, Club 4905 North ‘O’ Street, Fort Smith, Arkansas 72904.

To sign an online guestbook, visit www.edwardsfuneralhome.com