Michael John Cross

Michael John Cross, 81, of Amelia Island, Fla., died Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2013, in Jacksonville, Fla. from a recent illness.

The son of Percy George Cross and Annie Lillian Ellen Saltmarsh Cross, he was born in Stockwell, London on Dec. 13, 1931. Educated at Rutlish School in England, he later fulfilled his national service requirement in the Royal Air Force, rising to the office of Flight Lieutenant. Stationed in Singapore, he flew support missions for the British effort in the Korean War from 1950 to1952. Later, in 1953, he served as a British Air Attach to Clark Air Base in the Philippines.

Mr. Cross immigrated to the United States in 1954, and he lived in New York City for several years, working as a graphic artist in the advertising industry. He moved to Shepherdstown, in 1969, where he lived with his wife of 43 years, Ann Moore Cross until 2003.

As a member of the Shepherdstown community, he worked for Hagerstown Bookbinding and Printing before taking over the Moore Insurance Company in Charles Town. He served on the Founding Board of the Millbrook Chamber Orchestra, as Treasurer of Powhatan School in Boyce, Va. and on the Board of Historic Shepherdstown.In 2003, he retired and moved to Amelia Island.

Mr. Cross is survived by his wife, Ann Moore Cross, his son, Ian Rutherford Cross, his beloved daughter in law, Amanda Pecko Cross, and his grandchildren, Caroline Rutherford Cross and Andrew McAlister Cross of Fort Myers, Fla.

Remembrance contributions may be sent to West Virginia Public Broadcasting, 600 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301; wvpublic.org, or Friends of the Library, 25 North Fourth Street, Fernandina Beach, FL 32034.

Please share his life story at www.oxleyheard.com.