Robert Lee Cross

Robert Lee Cross, 83 of Pine Grove, passed away on Friday, April 23, 2021 at WV Caring Hospice Center in Elkins, WV. He was born October 4, 1937 in New Martinsville, WV son of the late Norman C. and Virginia (Persing) Cross. He leaves behind his wife, Darlene (Stroup) Cross of forty-one years; his sister, Sue Stackpole and two nephews; two step-children, Kimberly (Haught) Shatney and Daniel Haught; two grandchildren, Jordan Haught and Zoey Haught.  He will be missed dearly by his special companions, yellow labs Ruby and Ellie May.
He was employed by Ormet Corporation for 26 years.  He was a lifelong blood donor with Red Cross and received several awards for his service.
Something that most people never knew about Bob is that he saved the life of a helicopter pilot at Mount Rushmore while on vacation with his wife in July 1985.  Without regard for his own safety, Bob ran up the mountain to the crash site.  After finding three passengers dead, he discovered the pilot barely alive.  The pilot was upside down in his harness.  Bob cut the harness and pulled the pilot to safety before the wreckage caught fire.  The pilot spent seven weeks in the hospital with more than 15 fractures, but survived and went back to flying the next season.  Bob lost touch with the pilot until last year when his step-daughter, Kimberly, tracked the pilot down.  Bob and the pilot enjoyed a long video chat and the pilot thanked Bob for saving his life that day. Bob enjoyed bear hunting and rattlesnake hunting.  He would often keep rattlesnakes in a specially built box in his carport so that kids (and adults) could see the snakes up close. Per his request, there will be no funeral services.  He graciously donated his body to The Human Gift Registry at WVU School of Osteopathic Medicine.  If anyone would like to donate in his name, please donate to WV Caring (wvcaring.org) hospice; Pine Grove Fire Department or Folsom Fire Department & EMS. Davis Funeral Home is honored to serve and handling the local arrangements for the Cross family. Online condolences can be made at www.davisfuneralhomewv.com.

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