Earl Winston Cross

Retired Master Gunnery Sergeant Earl Winston Cross, a decorated veteran of the United States Marine Corps, passed away peacefully on Feb. 3, 2025, at the age of 85. The Henderson, Kentucky resident spent his final days at the Anna Mae Owens Residential Hospice House in Murray, Kentucky.

Earl was born in the coal mining town of Lynch in Harlan County, Kentucky. His parents, Charles and Florence Cross, preceded him in death. Charles was a long-time coal miner and Baptist preacher. Earl was the youngest of 13 children. 

After a childhood spent roaming the mountains of Harlan County, Earl played football and basketball at Lynch High School. He enlisted in the Marine Corps after high school and embarked on a career that would take him and his family around the world before settling in Henderson. 

Earl served in combat during the Vietnam War. Among his numerous commendations, Earl received a Bronze Star for heroic or meritorious service in a combat zone and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross. 

Earl continued his basketball and football career in the Marine Corps and won an Armed Forces football world championship while stationed in Okinawa, Japan. Along with Vietnam and Okinawa, he was stationed at bases in Parris Island (South Carolina), Taiwan, and the Philippines, among others. Upon retiring from the Marine Corps after 20 years, Earl spent a second career at Accuride in Henderson before retiring as a supervisor. 

Earl married Hershel Louine Clarkston in August of 1961. The couple enjoyed 56 years of marriage and were blessed with four children before she passed away in 2017.

Earl is survived by his son Earl and wife Tina and their two children, Evan and Maggie, all of Owensboro; his child by a previous marriage, Leland of Henderson; a son, Bryan and wife Audrey and their child Jada, all of Greensburg; a son, Rob and wife Summer and their child, Luke, all of Murray; a daughter, Cynthia Mejean and her children, Noah, Cameron and Ryleigh, all of Cape Girardeau, Missouri, and Ryan Sanders of Henderson. He also left behind six great-grandchildren and loved ones Wendy Sutton, Tina Hess, Kelsie Blackston, and Kenady Hess, as well as many others. Earl is also survived by his sister, Dorothy Cross Hall of Indianapolis, Indiana, and brother, Roy Cross of Decatur, Georgia.

He was preceded in death by 10 brothers and sisters including Lela, Fred, Oma, John, Grover, William, Hazel Cross Laughlin Fanning, Nora Cross Welty, Carol Cross Bond, and Flora Cross Houser. Earl was also preceded in death by granddaughter Alexandra Mejean.

In lieu of flowers, charitable donations may be made to the Anna Mae Owens Residential Hospice House in Murray.