James "Jim" C. Cross

James Creigh Cross, known to his friends as “a man of few words” went to that “Big Roundup in the Sky” November 28th, 2019 after a gallant battle with Dementia.

Jim was born July 8, 1928 in Leon, Kansas to Garrett William and Freddie Marie Cross. He was an adored son and brother. Jim graduated in 1946 from Chase County High School in Cottonwood Falls, Kansas. Jim worked for various local ranches and rodeoed until Uncle Sam called him to service in 1950 to serve his country in the Korean War. Sergeant Cross was medically discharged in 1952.

Jim loved saddle bronc and bull riding and joined the “Rodeo Cowboy Association” in 1953. He and his brother Jerry traveled all over the U. S. form Boise, Idaho to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to rodeos. In his later years he loved watching and talking to friends about PBR and the latest rodeo stars.

But in 1954 Jim met a man by the name of Fred Koch and put his skills to work for his true love “The Matador Cattle Co.” Jim started in Reece, Kansas but worked for every ranch Koch owned or leased over his 40 plus year career with the company.

It was when he got to Matador he met and married Karlene Smith of Dumont, TX, September 24, 1962 in Matador, TX and had his children, Audie, Tonda, and Loretta.

Jim retired from the “Matador” in June 1993 with Karlene and his children by his side. He and Karlene decided to call Matador home and retired to a plot of land right next door to the Matador Ranch where they lived happily.

Mr. Cross is survived by two daughters: Tonda (Rick) Dale of Las Vegas, NM and Loretta (Shawn) Weekes of Matador, TX, ten grandchildren and hordes of great-grandchildren.

Jim was preceded in death by his wife, a son, 2 sisters, 6 brothers, and his parents.