Benjamin Moses Cross, Jr.

Benjamin Moses Cross Jr., 90, currently of Auburn, WA and former longtime Anacortes resident, died Friday, July 30, 2010 at North Auburn Rehabilitation & Health Center in Auburn. He was born on April 30, 1920 in Memphis, Tenn. Ben was the oldest son of Benjamin M. Cross, Sr. and Willie Mae (Stewart) Cross. He served in the Army as a M.P. from April 1944 to October 1945. Ben was self-employed for 50 plus years as a barber, retiring in 2005. Through out his career, he was in the Barbers and Beautician Union and for several years he held the position as president of the Barber Union. Ben was a member of the Masonic Order for 50 plus years and held many positions in the order. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, and taking his wife, Carol to Reno, NV for mini breaks from work. Ben really enjoyed it when the kids and grandkids would come to visit. He touched many people’s lives. Ben never met a stranger. He was a Southern Gentleman.Ben was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Carolyn Cross; one son, Mac Ray Cross; and one great-grandson, Issiah Metheny. He is survived by his sister, Warene Schneider of Memphis, TN; his son, Benjamin M. Cross, III of McPherson, KS; and two daughters, Phyllis Converse and Judi Metheny, both of Auburn, WA; 11 grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren. Visitation will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., Friday, August 6, 2010 and also from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, August 7, 2010 at Evans Funeral Chapel in Anacortes with interment following at Grand View Cemetery in Anacortes, WA. Arrangements are in the care of Evans Funeral Chapel and Crematory, Inc., Anacortes, WA and the San Juan Islands. To share memories of Ben, please sign the online guest register at www.evanschapel.com.

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