David A. Cross
August 11, 1957 ~ March 29, 2013
David A. Cross, 55, of Monrovia, passed away on March 29, 2013, in Miller’s Merry Manor. He was born August 11, 1957, in Seattle, Washington, to the late Frank R. Cross and Dorothy L. (Shoe) Hinshaw.
Dave graduated from the Indiana School of the Blind. He was a past president of the south side AAA club. He had an impressive knife collection. Dave also enjoyed building model cars, listening to rock and roll, collecting CDs. A very active person, he participated in 5-K walk-a-thons, and loved to travel, especially to his hometown, Seattle.
Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his cherished leader dogs, Guapo, Rocky, Bosco, and Jordan.
Survivors include his brother, Stephen Cross (Billie) of Seattle; Susan Tennison (Lance) of Seattle; Annie Wedlund of Seattle; Dianne M. Olleman (Ed) of Monrovia; Catherine Ream (Rick) of Seattle; nephew, Nic Cross of Seattle; nieces, Cybil Burnside, Natalie Robinson, Stephanie Chang, Micki Ream, Tara Wedlund; great nephews, Nate and Nick Burnside, Jacob and Garrett Robinson.
The graveside service will be held at 1 p.m., Sunday, April 7, 2013, in the West Union Cemetery, Monrovia. A gathering of family and friends will follow the service at Dianne and Ed Olleman’s house. Rev. Gordon Esterline will officiate the services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made the Leader Dogs for the Blind (www.leaderdog.org). Funeral and cremation arrangements are being handled by the Carlisle – Branson Funeral Service & Crematory, Mooresville. Visit www.carlislebranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.
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Dear Uncle Dave, I’ll think of you every time I pass ‘Ye Olde Curiousite Shop’ on the waterfront. Thank you for having such a great sense of humor, especially needed during long family road trips. I heard a great joke the other day I was going to share with you: What is Irish and comes out during the summer? It won’t be the same not hearing your voice on the other end of the line during holidays. Love and miss you so much! -Micki p.s. Patio Furnature.
The most vivid and precious memory of my brother David was the time we spent together feeding his frogs when we were kids in the old Seattle house. The frogs wouldn’t eat the pet store food. We discovered that if you put the food on the end of a pencil and moved it around like live food, that they would eat it. It was a time consuming, but rewarding way to pass the time. We fed the frogs and shared that time together. Our mutual love of animals and his gentleness with them was a common bond. His silly and light nature (always trying to find something to laugh and giggle about) will stay with me and remind me to not take life too seriously. I will miss that light spirit, core childlike nature, natural curiousity, quick disrespectful humor, and constant giggle that was so basic to our times together. He will be greatly missed. May you rest in peace my baby brother, David!!!!!!!! Your loving big sis, Susy
Dave was my childhood twin. We were the youngest two kids in my family. I was 14 months older but it didn’t matter since we were ‘the little ones’ and always considered as a single entity. I was never bored or lonely because Dave was my constant companion. We played together, rode bikes, but mostly he was my best friend, always there to talk and share with me. Dave had a soft heart, loved animals (especially his guide dogs), a good joke and lively conversation. He had a great sense of adventure and handled his circumstances with a wry sense of humor and a bit of stubbornness. I was inspired by how he pushed his physical boundaries. I will miss sharing my world with him. Cath
I remember Dave being so thoughtful and strong. May God Bless his family and know that he is enjoying something even more wonderful than Hawaii right now! Love, Deb Sturm
dear uncle dave, I relly liked showing you my toys i thoght when you made those cars that was cool if you wear blind that shode be a world’s record. You had a good sinceof hurrmer you wear very funny i liked eating with you when we ate we asked each other ture or fales i thoght it was fun you porble thoght it was to i think ween you hid those pizza boxs that funny
the above message is from Jacob, his 8 year old g-nephew
He was stubborn and OH so lovable! Does that not pretty well sum it up? So the first of the siblings passes and somehow it seems unfair that it should be the last in. However I remember the doctors saying he would not live past the age of 15, so I’m sure the stubborn and irreverent streak Dave had has enjoyed every minute of the past 40 years he cheated them out of. I can say with all honesty that the day in 1969 when we learned of his tumor was a defining day in our family history as well as my life. The mischievous roommate of my childhood was suddenly gone only to evolve as an immodest outspoken young man with a sense of humor that endeared him to everyone he met. Me being the oldest and he the youngest, and then later living so distant I’m sorry to say I never got to know Dave as much as I would have liked. I can say I envied Eddie for being the older brother I would have liked to have been. His gain and my loss. I occasionally try, always unsuccessfully, to imagine my life without sight. It always makes my problems seem much more insignificant. So here’s to baby Bro and what he taught us, live each day as if it’s your last, just because your handicapped you don’t have to be meek or humble, eat what you want cause what do the doctors know anyway, a good laugh cost you nothing, what you can’t see can’t scare you, and most importantly Do It Your Way. Dave, you may be gone but not forgotten… Cheers. — Steve
Cath Ream is following this tribute.
‘Butterflies are free’ the movie reminds me much of David. He was not afraid to do things despite his limitations. I knew David from visiting at Miller’s. He was always friendly, and occasionally I would see him out eating at Steak-in-shake. David will be missed. My sincere condolence to his family.
Always in my life for a reason… my little brother, Dave. One thing was always a constant, and that was Dave was always with me and we truely grew up together and beyond as adults. His ‘twin’, Cath, was his true playmate, although I was still there with them to roll the marbles across the floor and down the stairs, pretending they were a herd of horses. We shot bb guns together. He was there to be with me as I first started dating. When he started getting sick and loosing his eyesight to the unknown tumor, I loved to be able to read to him when he was in bed, sick. When we made the move from Seattle to Indiana, we were together. The same continued when I met Ed and married him. When I had his nieces. There to take a fall and broken hip for Cybil. Playing with my children and loving it. Coming to our home and spending time with my family. Dave moved out on his own and had adventures of his own. Four leader dogs, fighting for sobriety and beyond, 5k walks with Mom and friends, marriage, being around when his great nephews were born and more. When I needed a cheering up, I could always call Dave and he would be there to use his quick wit to make me laugh. The nature in me was to ‘mother’ him and watch out for him, but we were truely more happy together when I could just be his sister. I always said we were like water and oil. I, too serious, and him, happy go lucky, despite what health problems came his way. Dave’s ability to accomplish challenges, even without sight, was amazing. He was always a part of my family and Ed’s, as they welcomed him as their own. He touched so many lives of our friends who would do so many kind things for him. I thank them all for that. What Ed has been and done for Dave, especially after Mom and Dad were passed, is above priceless. I believe he knew him best. I will miss his ‘querkyness’ and being there always as my brother. As irritating as he could be as a ‘true little brother’, he could also be so sweet. I know God put Dave wiith me always, for a purpose. He taught my family compassion and acceptance early on and I thank him for putting him in my life. Godspeed little man. I love you, Dave, your older sister, Deenie
I had the good fortune to know Dave before and after the tumor was diagnosed. Just a little guy with a huge smile and great sense humor. I’m smiling now as I write this. Although the illness took his sight, his humor and smile remained intact. The stories he told! Especially about the leader dogs. I remember the one where the dog took him down a hill, through a creek, and back up a hill – completely ignoring the sidewalk and pedestrian bridge that would have made the trip much easier for Dave. I saw him only a few times after he became an adult but he remains in my heart as a very special ‘little guy.’ Pam Cross
My heart breaks for Ed, Dianne, and all the families of loved ones left without Dave’s presence. He was funny. He had that up-to-something humor and was loved by all. I enjoyed when he visited and loved talking to him at gatherings. He taught me a new game and often beat me! I joked to other people that it’s sad to be beat by a blind man! I saw him get worse over the years but never heard one complaint. He just kept smiling and kept going. He could con anyone. I will always remember him drinking Ed’s souvenir Coke bottle he managed to find in the top of cabinet. I will remember his love of Ed and Deenie and their family and how he sat and played with the kids, even my own kids. My heart is filled with joy that he can see now but with sadness that I already miss his smile and quick wit, true gifts of his. When your best friend loses a brother, it feels like you do too. May God Bless all of you and comfort you.
Deepest sympathy to the entire family. David was a kind genteel person and will be greatly missed. Rest in Peace, David . You were budded on earth to rest in Heaven.
Devin, Laura and Abby Williams
Dianne and Ed: So sorry to learn of David’s passing. I send my condolences. It is hard to give up one even though you know they are in a better place today. If I can help you in any way, please let me know. Your friend forever, Malcom
David, You will never be blind another day, you will see the flowers, tree, birds. Heaven is a beauitful place. Run my blessed friend for you are now free. I won’t ever forget you, for you have always been very special.
David had a keen intellect and a dry sense of humor. Even though blind, he could see the world clearly. He will be missed.
Dave introduced Guappo to me saying, in his past life he was one of the Marx brothers. After Micki’s “Patty O’Furniture” joke, I started thinking of the many the things Dave enjoyed and shared. Years ago he sent us the sound track to Easy Rider, knowing that we didn’t have it. I responded by sending him a tape along the lines of Bob Rivers or Stan Boreson, maybe even Alvin and the Chipmunks. He enjoyed music and humor, even at the same time. And along those lines I will leave a song stuck in everyone’s mind. Bing Crosby crooning “I’m… dreaming of a New… Mat-ress…” (a.k.a. White Christmas). Dave’s probably making him sing it right now! To Deenie and Ed, you guys are amazing. Take care, rick
I’ve struggled to write this. So many funny stories of my little brother. So many memories. Which one of them could time capsules how I felt about him? When he was twelve he gave me a little wooden monkey for my birthday. It was only about 3 inches high and was made out of sandlewood. It was so smooth to the touch. He said he picked it because he liked the way it felt. He wasn’t blind at that point. That would happen in the months to come. Who knows why some things stick with us. But I have still have that wooden trinket. Over the years, I would tell him that I still had it. He always remembered it, and we would laugh about how cute it was, but never once did he ask why I kept that particular gift. See. That was the thing about him. He never judged me nor questioned why I did what I did. Just acceptance. He always seemed to have a mysterious protection surrounding him. How else do you explain a blind teenager who loved to ride his bike? Or the baby that sat in the fire but only had melted plastic pants? So I was shocked when the phone call came. I thought he would live forever. Besides. He was the youngest, and we all know that’s not the order of things. I will miss him. Annie
Words cannot express how much you will be missed. I love that almost everyone who wrote a remberence letter on this site mentioned your hood rumor. I think that’s what people will remember the most about you. You were delt a rough hand in life but it never stopped you from laughing, joking around, or living your life. I admire that about you and will always try to keep that in mind when the going gets tough. I will also remember our shared love for music and all the concerts we enjoyed together. Those are some of my fondest memories of you and I will cherish them for the rest of my life. I pray that you are now with Mamaw, grandad, guano, jordi, and all the your other loved ones that went before you. I pray that you can see all of them and that I will be able to see you again someday on the other side. I love you. – Natalie
So sorry for your loss….Dave was a wonderful, strong , and courageous person. I have many fond memories of him throughout my life. Thank you Ollemans for letting me have the privilege of being a small part of his life…’Uncle Dave’ will be missed. Jaclyn Conyer and family
Dianne – I am sorry to hear of your loss, Dave had a interesting sense of humor – I would have liked to have known him better.