Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

County Mourns Loss Of Valuable Leader and Volunteer

Friday, May 17, Charles Ray Cross lost his battle with leukemia.

He is a man who will be greatly missed in Nevada County because of the countless hours he spent working to see the county's volunteer fire departments are some of the best equipped in the state.

In addition, Cross worked to get state-of-the-art equipment for the Nevada County Rescue Unit and, at the time of his death, was helping Rosston's VFD procure a Jaws of Life.

Those who knew Cross said he was a personable man with a great sense of humor; a man, however, who put the welfare of others before that of himself.

Davis Benton knew Cross for 18 years. He said Cross was one of the most community-minded people in the area.

"He's the granddaddy of Nevada County volunteer fire departments," Benton said. "He had the incentive to get everything going and held together."

Benton said because of Cross' efforts, the Nevada County VFDs are among the best organized in the state.

Along with the work Cross did with and for fire departments and rescue units, he also had a direct hotline to weather people at the Office of Emergency Services in Conway.

"He was the type of person who was able to give others the incentive to volunteer," Benton said. "He complimented people who volunteered.

"You don't find many Charles Ray Crosses. He put the community in high regard.

"He's the one person who got the rescue unit and VFDs where they are today. He helped get the insurance law (Act 833) passed so rural departments could get more money.

"He was a good person to joke with and get along. He had a good sense of humor and will be missed.

"He won't be forgotten around here for quite some time."

Benton was not the only one to praise the work Cross did in and for Nevada County.

In fact, most who discussed Cross said he was the driving force behind the area's VFDs and the NCRU.

At the time of his death, according to William Mullins, who worked with Cross on the NCRU, he was working on getting a radar in the county which would be linked with the National Weather Service in Shreveport, La, along with trying to get Nevada County set up on a 911 emergency telephone system.

Mullins said Cross was also in the process of trying to establish a rural fire department in the Nubbin Hill/Redland communities as well.

"Everything he did," Mullins said, "he did for the county."

Cross was working on getting a disaster vehicle ready for the rescue workers to use in times of a major catastrophe. Mullins said this vehicle would have a generator on it which would provide heat and air for the workers. In addition, it would be large enough for the workers to be able to come in out of the weather and get some rest.

"We wouldn't be where we are today with our fire and rescue unit if not for Charles Ray," he said.

"When he thought something was needed in Nevada County, he found a way to get it -- through donations or whatever."

Mullins said Cross kept him (Mullins) and everyone around him going. "He'll be hard to replace. There won't be another like him."

Mullins said he would like to dedicate the NCRU's building in honor of Cross. This issue will be brought to the attention of the other members for their opinion and decision.

"He was concerned for the welfare of the people of the county," Mullins said. "Without him, we wouldn't be this far. He was a good guy; one of a kind."

Jim Cross, Charles' first cousin, said he was the leader in procurement of equipment for the county's VFDs and NCRU.

He said Cross "went to any measure to help the county," though he was not without opposition at times.

However, according to his cousin, when challenged, Charles became even more determined to succeed. "That's why we have what we have," he said.

"While he was sick he had the county's interest at heart above his own health."

He said when the Prescott High School burned, Charles was unable to be there, but was on the radio orchestrating the crews, telling the various fire chiefs to watch out for their younger men. "He was concerned for their safety," Jim Cross said.

"Nevada County has a lot to be proud of because of him. No one will be able to fill his shoes."

Bill Almand, a friend of Cross', said Cross had friends in high places, including the White House.

"He knew how to get things done," Almand said.

"He was a smart man. It will take a big man to attempt to fill his shoes. The county will never be the same without him.

"We need more people in the community like him."

Gene Fore was also a friend of Cross'. He said Cross did as much for the county as any man who worked for it.

Fore said the communities of Caney, Laneburg, Bodcaw, Willisville and Rosston may not even have fire departments if not for Cross' efforts.

"This is a big loss to me," Fore said. "He was a close, personal friend.

"He never met a stranger, everyone liked him. He was that special kind (of person). If you met him you would like him."

Fore said during times of severe weather, Cross would be on the radio, coordinating the spotters, and keeping all updated as to what was going on.

In addition, because of Cross working with all of the VFDs in the county, he was able, Fore said, to get them to work together and be friends.

"I don't know how to replace him," he said. "He was a top of the line kind of fellow."

Nevada County Judge John W. Barham knew Cross his entire life. "I didn't know he was as successful as he was until I was appointed judge," he said.

Barham said at a county judge's meeting in 1995, Cross was there with the OES. "It was amazing how many friends he had there. He knew everybody, and they all knew and respected him.

"When he got sick, they asked about him."

Barham said Cross was one of the best OES coordinators in the state.

"He gained a lot of my respect," Barham said. "I asked him once how he got all the firefighters to respond as well as they do and cooperate. He said he treats them like he wants to be treated.

"He did a lot of work and had a lot of friends. He will surely be missed."

State Sen. Mike Ross also knew Cross. In fact, Cross was partially responsible for Ross choosing a career as a public servant.

"I'll always remember him as a role model for me," Ross said. "He played an important role in teaching me the importance of public service."

Ross said Cross was instrumental in helping the county establish and equip the VFDs, which, he said, are some of the best in the state.

"A lot of what they have is due to him and the amount of energy he brought to work with him. He made sure they were properly equipped to deal with fires.

"He played an important role in the NCRU."

Ross said