Matthew James Cross

Matt’s life began on September 18, 1958 in Emporia.  He is the son of Charles and Mavis (Hirsch) Cross.  A 1976 graduate of El Dorado High School, Matt went on to earn his Bachelor’s Degree in Petroleum Geology at Wichita State University.  He was united in marriage to the former Pam Weigel on February 9, 1979 at St. John’s Catholic Church in El Dorado.  Matt was the co-owner of Buckeye Corporation/Aztec Oil and very active in several professional associations including the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, Kansas Geological Society, EKOGA where he served on the board of directors from 2001 to the present and as president from 2009-2011 and KIOGA.  He served on the Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital Board from 1995 until 2016 and as the chairman of the board from 2003-2006.  Matt was named Trustee of the Year by the Kansas Hospital Association in 2016.  While serving as a member of the hospital board’s investment committee in 2012 and 2013, the committee was recognized as committee of the year.  He was active in the Strong Kids campaign for the YMCA and recognized as the volunteer of the year in 2009. Matt served on the board of Kansas Strong and he was a 1997 Leadership Butler participant.  Matt served on the board of the United Way as co-chairman in 1994 and chairman in 1995.   He was a Red Devil Chef, and enjoyed his golf group “The Butler Poker Club” recently renamed, “The Matt Cross Golf Group” in his honor.  Matt’s contributions to his profession and community paled compared to his love of his family which includes his wife Pam of Andover, children Brandon (Melissa) Cross of Andover and Jaime (Brady) Sharp of Towanda; grandchildren Hannah Sharp, Wyatt Sharp, Adriana Zollin and Robert Cross; his brother Barry (Judy) Cross of Andover; niece Mallory (Jason) Krieger and nephew Logan (Mandy) Cross.  Matt passed away at his home on May 28, 2018.  He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Rick Cross. His family will gather with friends on Thursday at 7 p.m. at St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church, Andover for his Rosary service.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday at 10 a.m. led by Father Kent Hemberger at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church.  Matt will be laid to rest in Ascension Cemetery, Bel Aire. Carlson Colonial Funeral Home is serving the family.  Memorial contributions in Matt’s name are strongly encouraged to the Susan B. Allen Memorial Hospital Foundation or St. Vincent DePaul Catholic Church.  Please sign his online guestbook and leave a memory of Matt at www.carlsoncolonial.com  . 

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