Howard F. Cross, 78, of Bristol, TN passed away Wednesday, July 14, 2010 at John M. Reed Nursing Home, Limestone, TN.

He was a veteran of the Korean War where he was seriously wounded in action serving as a Paratrooper in the #82 Airborne, he received the Purple Heart. He loved the University of Tennessee sports especially the Lady Vols and the Atlanta Braves.

He was preceded in death by his parents, David and Lilly Leonard Cross; his wife, Eleanor R. Cross; a son Howard Daniel Cross; five sisters and three brothers.

Survivors include his daughter, Kimberly R. Cross of Cornelius, NC; a son, Steve Cross of Bristol, TN; three brothers, Bruce Cross and wife, Shirley and Elmer Cross and wife, Esther all of Bristol, VA and Lawrence Cross and wife, Edith of Knoxville, TN; three grandchildren, Elizabeth Ford, Brianna Hurley and Jericho Yantz and one great-grandchild, Carter Englert.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the VFW Patton-Crosswhite Post #6975, 14 16th St., Bristol, TN 37620.

The graveside service will be conducted at 1:00 P.M., Monday, July 19, 2010 at Mountain Home National Cemetery with Military Rites conducted by the Bristol VFW Honor Guard. Honorary Pallbearers will be his friends at the VFW Patton-Crosswhite Post #6975. The family will receive friends from 5:00 – 7:00 P.M., Sunday at Akard Funeral Home.

Email condolences may be sent to the family at akardfh@akardfuneralhome.com