Orvin Cross, 84, of Parkville, MO, passed away July 25, 2025, at North Kansas City Hospital. Orvin was the kind of man who showed up–not with fanfare, but with a wrench or a fishing pole, and a warm heart ready to help. Across generations, he opened his home and his heart to family members who needed a place to land. Orvin never had to be asked twice–offering help was just in his nature.
Orvin was proud of his Native American heritage and was a member of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma. He spent the majority of his working years behind the wheel as a proud Teamsters truck driver, building a career through grit, long hours, and a deep respect for an honest day’s work. An avid fisherman, Orvin fished across lakes and rivers near and far, with his favorite being the White River in Arkansas. In recent years, you’d most likely find him at Wyandotte County Lake. Orvin loved kids, and in many ways never stopped being one himself. Whether he was telling a story, fixing something most people would have tossed, or just goofing around, he brought a lightness to life that made others feel at ease.
Orvin was born June 22, 1941, in Cromwell, OK to Luther Benjamin and Emerick Jane Cross. He graduated from Cushing, OK High School and then earned his Bachelor of Science in Mathematics from the University of Kansas. In 1960, Orvin married the love of his life, Dorothy “Dot” Farrell. Together they built a life in Kansas City, MO filled with devotion, laughter, generosity, and strength, sharing 56 beautiful years of marriage until Dorothy's passing in 2016. Though our hearts are heavy with his loss, we take comfort in knowing that Orvin and Dorothy are together once more.
Orvin was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy; his parents, Luther and Emerick Cross; his children Dana, David, and Tommy Cross; his great grandchild, Ashley Footer; and his siblings, L.J. “Jim” Cross, Marquita Webb, John Cross, and Gerald Cross. Orvin is survived by his children, Lesa Cross and Gary (Carolyn) Cross; his honorary children, Emerick Cross and Shana (Shaun) Rainey; his grandchildren, Matthew (Melanie) Cross, Ashley (Rick) Footer, Jason Cross, Sonya (Erik) Swenson, and Aaron Cross; his great grandchildren, Jennifer Footer, Maxwell Cross, Mia Cross, Madeline Swenson, and Sophia Swenson; his siblings, Nakina (Tom) Haug, Carl Cross, and LaRae Cross; and numerous family members and loved ones.
A visitation will be held from 9:00-11:00 am, with funeral services at 11:00 am, followed by internment, at Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 701 N. 94th St., Kansas City, KS 66112.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, St. Joseph’s Indian School, American Lung Association, American Diabetes Association, or any other Native American
