Thomas Eugene Cross Obituary
Tom Cross of West Des Moines, Iowa passed on Friday, September 16, 2016. A Celebration of Life is pending.
Tom was born the son of Thomas J. and Rosa May Cross on August 24, 1921 in Glidden, Iowa. Tom graduated from Churdan High School in 1940. Soon after, he met his wife of 73 years Ethel, at a roller skating rink in Jefferson, Iowa.
Tom worked installing water softeners in Des Moines and surrounding communities during World War II. After the war, he became an apprentice tool and die maker, which led to a fulfilling career as a Tool and Die Maker.
Tom and Ethel were enthusiastic square dancers - belonging to two clubs in Des Moines, "Whirl-a-ways" and the "Huff-and-Puffers" so they could dance every week.
Tom raced go-karts and model air planes in his younger days. He always enjoyed a good game of golf and learned to snow ski in his 50's. In the late 1970's, Tom and Ethel co-managed the Dexter Ski Lodge in Dexter, IA with another couple for one winter.
After Tom retired, he and Ethel traveled - snow skiing with the Iowa Ski Club and friends in Colorado, Utah and Lake Tahoe. They cruised the Panama Canal, Hawaii and Alaska. Golfing trips took them to many locations; Hawaii, Arizona, Bahamas and Florida were among their favorites. They traveled to Europe, visiting England, The Netherlands and France.
Tom had the skill and passion for creating just about anything. His workshop is where he created magic. Wishing wells, garden accessories, custom golf clubs, wine racks, a kit car and whatever family or any of many friends could dream up. His most ambitious projects included full scale replica cannons and scale size replica remote control power boats. He was always busy in his workshop creating or fixing something for someone. If you could dream it, he could build it.
Tom is survived by his loving wife of 73 years, Ethel and their children, Lanie Cross, Julie (Richard) Wolf, and Brad (Peggy) Cross.