James Burchett Cross Sr's Obituary
James Burchett Cross, Sr.
“It’s a beautiful day!”, no matter the weather, the day of the week, or the state of the world, was the daily refrain happily exclaimed throughout the house each morning by the much loved James Burchett “Jim” Cross, Sr., who passed away on November 1, 2023. The eternal optimist with the effervescent personality and contagious energy and enthusiasm is missed greatly by his family.
Born on April 2, 1937 in Glasgow, Kentucky, to Clara and Rex Cross, Jimmie, as he was called during his childhood, was the cherished only child of his parents. During elementary school, Jim moved to Memphis with his parents, where his father, a pharmacist, owned two drugstores on Union Avenue and Madison Avenue. Jim was the friendly, outgoing, and gregarious soda jerk after school. A proud graduate of Central High School and Memphis State University, Jim ran track and cherished the lifelong friendships he made in high school and college.
After a tour of duty as a Lieutenant in the Navy aboard the USS Randolph in the Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean and Mediterranean Seas, Jim moved back to Memphis and began his career in banking. Following in his father’s footsteps, Jim was a small business owner, founding his own leasing company, First Commerce Leasing. Jim was always grateful to Howard Willey for giving him his first opportunity in the leasing business.
Jim, who many thought might remain a lifelong bachelor and always be the groomsman, met his match and married Lynn Woods on December 28, 1968. Jim and Lynn raised two children together and were blessed with four grandchildren. Ever the bird whisperer with a perennial green thumb, Jim enjoyed sharing his love of birdwatching and gardening with his adored grandchildren.
A consummate story teller, Jim enjoyed regaling his family and his friends with his adventures, from his earliest days in Kentucky on his grandfather’s farm to his days in the Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis and his hunting trips near and far - from Arkansas and Mississippi to the Yukon Territory and the Pacific Northwest. He loved to fish anywhere and anytime - from Hatchie Coon to deep sea fishing off Bermuda and fly fishing in Montana and Colorado. A natural adventurer, Jim loved to travel, but no place was more special to Jim than his home. He loved the city of Memphis.
Jim is survived by his wife Lynn, children Margaret Walk and Chett Cross, son-in-law Bill Walk, daughter-in-law Monica Cross, and his grandchildren, Will and Henry Walk, and Jeb and Lily Cross.
A private family graveside service and burial was held on November 8, 2023. Donations may be made to the Second Presbyterian Church Foundation.
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