Richard David Cross

many of his friends called him, is survived by his wife Fay, children Richard and Sheri, and son -in-

law Brian. He was born in Lansing to Lee and Florence Cross. He was the 3rd born of their

four sons. His older brothers, Donald and Robert of Lansing, preceded him in death. His

younger brother, Larry, resides in Ingham County. A Celebration of Life Memorial has been scheduled for Friday, July 16, 2021 at the Okemos Conference Center located at 2187 University Park Drive at 5:00 PM. Please RSVP to [email protected] if you would like to attend and share a fond memory or story about Richard.

Richard went to Forest Road School and Walter French Junior High. He graduated from Eastern High School where he played football, wrestled, ran track, and was class president. After graduation he

attended Michigan State University, where he obtained a BA in Art Education and Physical

Education. He later obtained his Masters degree in Art Education. He was drafted into the Army

in 1957 and sent to Fort Benning, Georgia for basic training. He was then stationed in

Bamberg, Germany.

Dick was initially hired by Dewitt High School where he taught American History and coached

basketball, football, and track. He then transferred to West Junior to teach Art. While attending

MSU, he met his wife Fay, a microbiology major from Jamaica. It was at his next teaching

assignment at Dwight Rich Junior High that he and Fay were married. He then taught at Harry

Hill High School for many years until finishing his teaching career at Eastern High School.

Throughout the duration of his teaching career, he served on the Ingham County Art

Commission, taught art to children at the Child Study Club in Lansing. He taught Youth and

Adult Art Classes in Mason and Holt. He made jewelry, and designed custom wedding rings for

couples. He was known for making the Gorilla at Orlando’s FunTyme Miniature Golf in Mason.

He was commissioned to do many projects through his company Custom Art & Mold, including a

replica of the MSU Sparty based on the statue that his professor created. He worked in

numerous mediums including silk screen, charcoal, pastel, fiberglass, clay, stone, plaster,

acrylic, oil, and water color. He was known for his sculptures and his work with gourds. He

designed an early 20th Century pine cone pattern plate set for United Crafts.

Dick was an avid gardener, who also enjoyed camping, fishing, cooking and golf. He is

remembered for making pies, which he would often make from apples, and other fruits that he

grew himself. He was a member of the Corvette Club and fond of his red and white 1961

Corvette. He placed 1st at Spartan Speedway for racing in that category. He enjoyed many

days at his family cottage in Evart, and seeing family members at the Old Settler’s Reunion in

Mecosta. He was a member of the St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church.

Over the past twenty years, he volunteered in Jamaica with the Eye Health Institute providing

eye care to patients without access to routine vision screenings and cataract surgery. He

enjoyed working with all the volunteers and patients, and helped repair and install equipment at

the clinic in Hanover, JA.

He touched the lives of countless people and considered himself fortunate to have so many

friends and family members who cared for him.

To share a memory of Richard, sign his guestbook, or for more information please visit www.grbdmason.com.

To make a donation in his name with the Eye Health Institute, please go to https://

eyehealthinstitute.org/donations