March 28, 2024

Douglas E. Cross

March 14, 2020

Douglas E. Cross, 70, of Colfax, passed away Sunday, March 14, 2020, at Nelson Manor in Newton. A private family graveside service will take place at the Colfax Cemetery. There will be a celebration of Doug's life at the Colfax United Methodist Church at a later date. This will be updated at coburnfuneralhomes.com as soon as it is scheduled. Letters of condolences or gifts may be sent to Coburn Funeral Home.

Douglas E. Cross was born the son of Royal and Frieda Cross April 24, 1949. He grew up in the Cross Building with all of downtown Colfax as his play yard. He knew no stranger and was friend to most. He was a loveable chap, except when he painted the wings of Mrs. Hanna’s pigeons red and set them soaring against the blue sky. Doug’s mother Frieda decided he needed “culturizing” and ballroom dance classes and piano lessons with Miss Eleanor Howell should do it. Doug learned to play one song “Sentimental Journey.” The words have appropriate meaning for this special day: “Going to take a sentimental journey, going to put my mind at ease. Going to take a sentimental journey to renew old memories.” Doug graduated from Colfax Community School in 1967, where he received awards as “I Dare You” leadership award, National Honor Society, Iowa Boy’s State and in football. He held great respect for his principal, David Edwards. In 1967, he was accepted by the University of Northern Iowa and graduated in business in 1971. His career began with John Deere in 1968, where he was hired into the student program. He took an early retirement as supervisor in 2001 after 32 years of service.

Wedding bells rang July 24, 1971, when Doug married Karen White. They lived in Ames until Karen graduated from ISU. Their dream came true when they bought an acreage east of Colfax. What a wonderful place to raise their two sons, Joshua and Seth; and enjoy nature. It was a piece of Heaven for the “City Slicker.” Doug’s favorite pass time was telling his many stories. He also enjoyed fishing, duck and pheasant hunting with his dogs and hunting buddies. The annual Canadian trip to Home of Fine Sportsmen in Saskatoon was a dream come true. He also enjoyed traveling with his family including a three generational trip to Sweden to visit Doug’s foreign exchange student and close friend Olle. Doug was a lifetime member of the Colfax United Methodist Church, the Isaak Walton League and Colfax JayCees. Doug loved the gift of life. He loved Colfax and to be his friend was to be his friend for life. He was unable to talk, walk or feed himself for two years and yet he could smile and “pucker up” for those precious kisses. He talked with his beautiful brown eyes.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Karen; sons, Joshua and wife Tami and Seth and his wife Lillie. He loved and adored his four grandchildren, Josie, Walker, Jack Douglas and Caleb; and his brother-friend, Dennis Lind. Preceding Doug in death were his parents.