FRED CROSS
Fred Cross, 85, of Elk Grove, California, passed away peacefully on January 10, 2025.
He was born on December 12, 1939, in Gosper County, Nebraska on Turkey Creek.
Fred enjoyed growing up and working on the family farm along with his brother and three sisters. He began his career in soil conservation, working on terraces and land leveling after graduating from Arapahoe high school. In the fall of 1961, he joined the United States Navy, serving until 1966, with most of his tour at the Concord, California, weapons station. He married Norma Immethun in 1965, and after his discharge, they moved back to the family farm in Nebraska. In 1969, weary of the harsh winters, they returned to California, settling in Antioch. There, Fred began working for J.C.
Penney Company, selling tires. It was a memorable time in his life, filled with fishing trips to his favorite spot on Bradford Island with wonderful neighbors.
Fred’s career with J.C.
Penney took him to Bellevue, Nebraska, before he returned to California, where he spent many years working at George’s Radiator business and soon became part owner.
The family made their home in Gilroy, California, where most of their child-raising years took place. Gilroy became the children’s “hometown”. He loved the Gilroy Garlic Festival, where the country music and beer flowed… his favorite festival visit was with his brother Frank.
Fred loved gardening, backyard barbecues, and fishing—whether at the lake or deep-sea adventures—and he was happiest when pursuing these passions. A lifelong fan of country music, Fred especially enjoyed listening to Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, and Merle Haggard.
A lung cancer survivor in his 60s, Fred embraced a quieter pace of life in his later years, treasuring time with his family and friends.
While living in assisted living, he made many friends and enjoyed playing poker. His poker buddies nicknamed him “Slim Shady” and named the five-card draw, deuces wild game “Fred’s Game” in his honor. Known for his winning streaks, he often collected all the nickels and became the unofficial “bank,” where fellow players would come to make change.
Fred is survived by his 3 children, Matthew Allen, Sylvia Ellen, and Joleen Marie; his 10 grandchildren, Janelle, Belinda, Jacob, Olivia, Spencer, Tanner, Sabrina, Tess, Brody, and Joey; and his 12 great-grandchildren, Achilles (Ace), Indianna (Indy), Gavin, Jayce, Lincoln, Everly, Brynlee, Amberlee, Karson, Greysan, and Makenna; his sisters Carol Jean, Mona and Wanda. He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Hazel Cross, and brother Frank Cross.
A celebration of Fred’s life will be held Saturday, April 26th at Arapahoe Methodist Church, 701 5th Street, Arapahoe, Nebraska.
