Kenneth E. ‘Ken’ Cross

Ken Cross, 82, of Brookings, passed away peacefully the morning of July 2, at his home. 

He was born June 13, 1929, in Le Grande to Hallee Stanley Cross and Dora Adelia Long Cross. He spent his childhood there. 

He worked in his brother’s sea-diving business in Wilmington, Calif. for several years. 

In 1951 Ken enlisted in the U.S. Navy, and served  until 1955. 

He married Evelyn Simmons  in 1952, and they later moved to Grass Valley, Calif., where he lived for 39 years. He retired as plant manager for a specialty nail company in Grass Valley.

After Evelyn’s death, Ken married Eleanor “Ellie” Quistad in 2004, in Grass Valley. They moved to Brookings the same year. 

Ken was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church  and Sydney Croft Masonic Lodge 206 in Brookings. In Grass Valley, he was a member of Madison Masonic Lodge 23 and Sons of Norway Gulldalen Lodge 128. 

Ken enjoyed volunteer work at south Coast Humaned Society Thrift Store and Chetco Activity Center. Rock hunting and collecting were tops on his list of favorite things to do, along with crabbing and gold panning. He absolutely loved Brookings and many times said “We must be close to heaven.”

Survivors include his beloved wife Ellie Cross of  Brookings; sister Ethel of Miami; daughter and son-in-law Judith and Dan Main of Grass Valley; stepdaughter Sonja and her husband Doyle O’Dell of Redmond, Wash.; grandchildren Tessa Main, Cassie Main, Shannon Granitsas and Tim O’Dell. Ken was also blessed with six great-grandchildren: Nicholas, Simon and Graeme Granitsas and Jack,  Avery, and Sofija  O’Dell. 

Ken was preceded in death by his first wife Evelyn Cross; brothers Ellis, Will, Lloyd, Ralph, Eddie; and sister Dorothy. 

Ken will be missed by many for his warm smile and peaceful courage. 

At his request no service will be held. 

Submitted by the family.