Raymond Joseph Cross died on Tuesday, May 31, aged 97. He was born in Home Township, Newaygo County, Michigan, on March 13, 1919, to Arthur and Essie (Thomas) Cross. Ray was the third of ten children. He attended school at a one-room schoolhouse in Home Township. In April 1941, Ray was drafted into the Army, receiving training in Fort Dix, NJ. He was on maneuvers in North Carolina on December 7, 1941, when Pearl Harbor was attacked. As a result, his one-year draft was extended for the "duration of the war." As a light truck mechanic in the 66th Ordnance Unit, Ray was sent to Iceland for 22 months, helping to service and prepare equipment for the European conflict. In November 1943 he was transferred to St. Dogamels, Wales, where he joined the 111th Ordnance Unit in preparing equipment for the D-Day invasion. He drove a half-track off the boat onto the shores of Normandy two days after the invasion began. From there he continued work with the 111th Ordnance Unit to support various battles in France, Belgium, Holland, and finally Germany. He left the service in September 1945 from Bremen, Germany, after serving 4 years, 5 months, and being awarded the European Service Medal with four Bronze Stars in World War II. He was one of five remaining survivors of the 111th at the time of his death. After the war, Ray married Margaret (Stockwell) Cross on June 1, 1946. Rays father, Rev. Arthur Cross, performed the ceremony. Margaret preceded him in death in 2014. They were married for 67 years. For almost twenty years they raised a family on their farm in Home Township, Newaygo County. The family moved to their present home in Norwich Township, Newaygo County, in 1965. Ray farmed for a number of years and then in the 1950s entered the logging industry. He came to own his own business (Cross Logging) and ran that until his retirement in 1981. Mr. Cross was a member of the Big Jackson Church of God since 1937, where his parents were charter members and pastored the church several times in the 1930s and 1940s. For 35 years, Ray and his wife, Margaret, served as the clerk of the church (1973-2008). In honor of their long-time contribution to the church and their interest in education of young people, the Big Jackson Church of God named their Christian school "Cross Academy." The academy operated from 1988 to 1998, educating students in the area from kindergarten through high school. He was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Margaret, in 2014, as well as his parents, seven brothers and sisters, and one great-grandchild (Joshua Cross). He is survived by a brother, Harry (Lillian) Cross, and a sister, Velma Seaman; his children, Dr. Raymond W. (Miriam) Cross (Madison, WI); Dr. Linda Lou Cross (Cayman Islands); Mrs. Karen S. (Gary) Kirk (Sparta, MI); and Dr. Terry L. (Linda Clark) Cross (Cleveland, TN). All four of the children work in education. There are six (6) grandchildren who survive him: Dr. Bryan (Carol) Cross; Dr. Troy (Young Yoon) Cross; Mr. Kevin (Erika) Cross; Mrs. Natalie (Tim) Campbell; Mr. Keith (Michele) Kirk; and Mrs. Tara (Kevin) Snider; and nine (9) great-grandchildren: Olivia and Laura Cross; Isaiah and Ian Campbell; Gavin Kirk; Orin and Margaret Cross; Oliver Cross; and Luke Snider. Visitation with the family will be from 6:00 8:00 p.m. on Friday, June 3, at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids. Funeral services to celebrate his life will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 4, at the Big Jackson Church of God in Paris with the Rev. Ryan Shrable officiating. His family will also greet friends an hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow at the Whipple Cemetery with military honors under the auspices of the United States Army and the Big Rapids American Legion Post 98 Honor Guard. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to the Big Jackson Church of God. Share a memory or leave a condolence online at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Funeral Service Saturday, June 4, 2016 11:00 AM Big Jackson Church of God 4001 13 Mile Road Paris,MI 49338