Forrest Neal Cross

Forrest Neal Cross was born June 7, 1961 in Idabel, Oklahoma. He was the son of Clifford and Pearl (Hardaway) Cross. Forrest was raised in Pickens, Oklahoma and attended Battiest School, obtaining his GED after completion of his formal schooling.

Shortly after completion of his education, Forrest was married to Sharlot Renee Spradling on August 14, 1978 just across in the Red River in Texas from Pickens. The couple had one daughter, Amy. Forrest worked as a general laborer during his early marriage before later accepting employment with Southwest Tube in Sand Springs. He worked in the shipping and receiving department loading trucks and operating a crane for nearly eight years from 1981 to 1988.

In 1989, Forrest accepted employment as a carpenter, working for David McGee roofing and remodeling homes in the Hominy and surrounding areas. Forrest was forced to retire in 1993 for medical reasons. He enjoyed woodworking and spending time outdoors camping and canoeing. He loved to garden both vegetables and flowers and spent many hours canning salsa, jellies and peppers. He was also an avid birdwatcher but mostly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren.

Forrest passed away on Saturday, December 5, 2005 at the Hillcrest Medical Center in Tulsa at the age of forty-four years, five months and twenty-six days. He was preceded in death by a sister, Janice Rachel Cross.

He is survived by a daughter and her husband, Amber and Jeremy Bartley of Cleveland, Oklahoma; two grandson, Corbin and Creston Bartley, both of Cleveland, Oklahoma; parents, Clifford and Pearl Cross of Cleveland, Oklahoma; sister and her husband, Gale and Don Hubbard of Terlton, Oklahoma; two brothers and their spouses, Eugene and Sandra Cross of Bethel, Oklahoma and Perry and Pat Cross of Bandera, Texas.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 pm, Tuesday, December 6, 2005 at the First Assembly of God Church with Pastor Dan Edens officiating. Cremation will follow the service under the direction of the Chapman-Black Funeral Home.

Visit an online obituary, guestbook, and Life Legacy Tribute for Forrest Neal Cross at www.chapman-black.com.