John Charles Cross

John Charles Cross, 92, passed away after an extended illness on Monday, March 12, 2018, at the Lake City Veterans Administration Hospice.

John was born to Julius Clyde and Rosa Covington Cross on September 8, 1925 in Randolph County, NC. Upon joining the U.S. Navy on October 6, 1943, he volunteered for a duty squadron in the Pacific, serving as a bombardier on a PBM seaplane during WW II as well as seaplane patrol operations along the Japanese mainland and later a blimp squadron conducting search and rescue along Florida's east coast. Highly decorated, including the Distinguished Flying Cross with three stars,he retired from the Navy at NAS Glynco, Brunswick, GA on April 30, 1962, settling in Jacksonville, FL.

John received a degree in Administration and was a Senior Maintenance Superintendent for the USPS Bulk Mail Center, Jacksonville, retiring after 20 years of service.

John had a passion for travel and for the mountains, living the last 35 years in Blairsville, GA.

He was pre-deceased in death by his daughter Nikki Lynn Crawford (Michael) of Jacksonville, FL.

He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Marjorie Lynn Cross, his daughters, Sharon Leigh Townsend (Thomas) of Fernandina Beach, FL, Deborah Layne Ellison (James) of Macclenny, FL, Rebecca Louise Miles of Jacksonville, FL, and Loretta Joyce Richardson (Roger) of Edina, MN, 11 grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren who loved him dearly. John will be greatly missed by his loving family.

Visitation will be held Wednesday March 14, 2018 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Prestwood Funeral Home 105 Highway 90 West, Baldwin, Florida. (904) 266-0072 Funeral services with military honors will be conducted Thursday March 15, 2018 at 11:30 am at Jacksonville National Cemetery 4083 Lannie Road, Jacksonville, FL with Mr. James Ellison officiating.

Prestwood Funeral Home of Baldwin, FL is serving the Cross Family