Wayne Howard Kross

Wayne Howard Kross, 89, went home to be with his Savior on Tuesday, August 18, 2020. Please take a moment and share a kind thought or memory with Wayne’s family at www.andersonbethany.com. Services: A private, graveside service will be held at General Douglas L. McBride Veterans Cemetery at 11:00 AM on Monday, August 24, 2020. Wayne was born in Chicago, IL. He was an avid baseball player in his youth and was signed by the St. Louis Browns farm team, currently the Baltimore Orioles when he was eighteen. He enlisted in the United States Air Force during the Korean War and served as a radio operator on a B-36 bomber, flying dozens of dangerous missions while fighting bravely for his country. A military honor guard detail will present a flag at his funeral. While stationed at Walker Air Force Base in Roswell, Wayne also pitched for the Air Force baseball team and traveled the country representing the Air Force. He was particularly proud of having played against Pete Domenici, who played for UNM at the time. He married the love of his life, Vicky, in 1953, who joined him in Roswell for the first year of their married life, his last year of active service. After returning to Chicago, Wayne worked as a foreman for Youngstown Steel Mills for the next 20 years while he and Vicky raised their family; they then returned to Roswell, their honeymoon town, in 1981. He began a third career as a bricklayer at the New Mexico Military Institute in 1982 and retired from there as well. Wayne was a lifelong Christian, a devoted husband and loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. After he retired the last time, he kept busy helping with family home projects, building everything from shelves to doll beds for his grandchildren. Survivors: Wayne is survived by his sister, Carol Gish and husband Bert; brother Warren Kross and wife Phyllis; sister, Anne Stonehouse and husband Fred; as well as his children: Carol Mestas and husband Louis, Annemarie Oldfield, Lynn Lang and husband Glenn, Dianne Marley and husband Mike, and John Kross and wife Carol; along with eighteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and numerous beloved nieces and nephews, who loved and will miss him. Preceded: He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Helen Kross and his brother, David Kross, and his loving wife, Vicky. Honorary Pall-Bearers: Chosen to serve as Honorary Pall-Bearers are his grandchildren: Matthew Kuzniar, Catherine Kuzniar, Carolynn Armstrong, Joseph Oldfield, Cody Ogrentz, Alex Ogrentz, Elizabeth Marley-Hollingsworth, Margaret Walter, Michelle Marley, Rob Kross, Andrew Kross, and Julie Kross The family would like to thank the devoted caregivers at Avamere, and Chris Hicks, who were so loving and compassionate to our father and to us during his final years. We would also like to thank our friends and co-workers, who demonstrated their love and support with meals and prayers. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to EFCA ReachGlobal, 901 E. 78th Street, Minneapolis, NM 55420, c/o Mike and Loralee Hill. Wayne’s tribute was lovingly written in his honor by his children.

Wayne Howard Kross

October 25, 1930 - August 18, 2020