Michael L. Cross

After a valiant and courageous effort to keep his feet solidly planted on this earth, Michael L. Cross’ soul finally took flight on August 13, 2020, 1:40 a.m., surrounded by love. He was 58 years old. Since he had cancer surgery on April 27, he’d spent 109 days at the University of Kansas Medical Center fighting to come home. Many on his medical team expressed they’d never seen anyone fight as hard as Michael did, time and time again bouncing back from events that anyone else would have succumbed to. This was testament to his love for us.

Michael was born on May 20, 1962, in Kirksville, Missouri, to Donald and Judy Cross. He lived a good part of his life on Lake Waukomis, which was his home at the time of his death. He graduated from Park Hill High School in 1980 and later Park University with a Bachelor of Arts degree. He worked for United Airlines from 1989 to 2007, starting there when he was a student at the University of Texas at Austin as a baggage handler and ending as customer service supervisor. He then worked at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art until his death, being involved as manager of security, having responsibility for those beautiful grounds, and finally, he was involved in special projects such as the East Sculpture Park and most recently the current renovation to North Plaza Drive.

Michael was a Renaissance man. He was an artist in his own right, a talented painter, sculptor, and photographer. He had also owned several art galleries in Kansas City. He was a skater dude as a teenager and rediscovered his love for skating when he was in his 40s. He was instrumental in getting the Penn Valley Skate Park built in Kansas City, Missouri. You can see him talk about the history of skateboarding in Kansas City by watching the documentary, “The Line: A History of Kansas City Skateboarding.” He fell in love with the surfy quality of snowboarding and escaped to a ski spot anytime possible to glide down a mountain in Steamboat or even a tall hill at Snow Creek in Weston. And of course, anyone who spent much time with him at all knew of his love for Maui. He’d been there more times than he could count and he said his heart lived there. He said he just felt his soul click into place the minute the plane touched down. It’s where he felt at peace.

The biggest joy of his life was his three beautiful children: McClellan, Careva, and Margo. Being their dad and loving them as he did was his defining quality. He took delight in them every waking moment and never missed an opportunity to express how much he loved them and how proud he was of them. Michael and his dad shared a special bond over golf, where they used to play in tournaments and win lots of money, he has said. Michael had a very similar relationship with his son, Mac, over baseball. He had coached Mac’s baseball teams for many years and always wished he had another team to coach. The players and families all had a special love for him that never faltered. As for Careva, she and her dad shared a special bond over golf, love of crime shows, and spending time cuddling on the couch. And last but not least, Margo, who loved painting in the studio with her dad and discussing life’s persistent questions as they strolled along the beach in Maui. And everyone loved his snuggles. Michael used to say snuggle was a way of being. He could wrap you up in his arms and make you feel loved like no other.

We would like to thank the amazing healthcare professionals who fought so hard to help Michael return to health. The love and dedication of the entire team of doctors, students, nurses, aides, respiratory therapists, occupational and physical therapists, and even the beautiful souls cleaning the rooms during Michael’s time in the SICU at KUMC will never be forgotten. We love you forever and you will always be honorary family and TeamCross members. We would like to give a special thank you to Dr. Mazin Al-Kasspooles for being Michael’s skilled surgeon and biggest cheerleader, the one who told us not to give up on Michael time and time again. We are so grateful for your continual encouragement to keep hope alive. You are extraordinary and we count ourselves blessed to have been cared for by you. Michael held you in the highest regard.

Michael’s death has left us all so very sad, and yet we are happy he’s been released from his pain and struggle. We know he will always be with us. Let us know when you see him, because he’s all around. He will always be pure love. He leaves behind to mourn his loss his mother, Judy Cross, Kansas City, Missouri; his three children, McClellan, Careva, and Margo Cross, Lake Waukomis, Missouri; his partner in life and love, Kim Meyers, Lake Waukomis, Missouri; and so many more friends and family whose lives he touched with that giant heart of his. We’ll never forget you, Michael. We’ll think of you when we hear the crack of a baseball striking the bat, when the first snow falls, when we feel an ocean breeze, when we admire a beautiful work of art, and when we see the smiles of your beautiful children.

A virtual celebration of Michael’s life will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2020, at 2:00 p.m. CST, livestreamed through this funeral home’s Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in support of Michael’s children payable to McClellan Cross, In Care of Kim Meyers, 14606 E 39th Terrace South, Independence, MO 64055