James “Jim” Edward Cross, 89, of Fort Walton Beach, Florida – devoted husband, loving father and grandfather, passed away on October 23, 2017. Jim was born in 1928 in Elizabeth, Pennsylvania to Lewis David and Sadie Cothery Cross. On December 21, 1953 he married Verda Marie Hart in Maryland. Jim served more than 20 years in the armed services and retired from the Air Force in 1968. He was an avid woodworker who loved attending the Creative Senior Citizens Center where he participated in several woodworking and carving classes.
Jim is survived by his loving wife of 63 years Verda; along with their son, James E. Cross Jr and his wife Cynthia of Missouri City, Texas; one grandchild, James “Trey” E Cross III and his fiancé Bhavika Makanji of San Antonio, Texas; two siblings, Shirley Benedetti of Port Vue, Pennsylvania, David Cross and his wife Glenda of Ada Oklahoma; several nieces and nephews. Jim was preceded in death by his parents, Lewis and Sadie; his son, John; his brother, Lewis.
A special thank you goes out to Belvedere Commons and their wonderful staff and associates as well as Emerald Coast and Regency Hospices for their care and support and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church for their spiritual love and support.
The family will receive friends from 6:00PM to 8:00PM on Thursday, October 26, 2017 at McLaughlin Mortuary, 17 Chestnut Avenue SE, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. The funeral service will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 at 12:00PM; Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 363 SW Miracle Strip Pkwy, Fort Walton Beach, Florida. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Jim’s name to the American Heart Association or Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Expressions of love and sympathy can be viewed or submitted online at www.mclaughlinmortuary.com

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