Leon Cross

Hanley Leon "Popie" Cross, 85, longtime Bowlegs, Oklahoma resident died, Thursday, October 27, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Leon was born July 31, 1926 in Wewoka, Oklahoma to Louis and Maggie (Vinson) Cross. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife of 59 years, 6 months and 23 days, Bernice Cross of the home. They were married April 4, 1952 in Bowlegs, Oklahoma. He is survived by his children: Daughters, Sharon Tate of Shawnee, Oklahoma, Dawn Smith and her husband Dale of Seminole, Oklahoma, grandchildren; Jason and his wife Brandy Cross of Seminole, Oklahoma, David, Douglas and Devon “ his Huck” Smith of Seminole, Great Grandchildren Dylan Cross of Seminole. His sister Beverly Rybolt of Lubbock, Texas also survives him. Leon was preceded in death by; his son and best hunting buddy David Cross and granddaughter Jade Nicole Cross. Leon retired from his welding company, Leon’s Welding Service in 1992. Leon served his community in many ways, he was a member of the Seminole Masonic Lodge # 476 serving since June 21, 1956, as a 32 Masonic degree which he received in 1965 and serving as Worshipful Master in 1968. Leon received his 50 year Masonic pin in 2006. In his life Leon touched the lives of many children by serving as their Scout Master in the Boy Scouts of America and later in life teaching archery classes to the youth, at the Potawatomi tribal festivals. People would always comment on what a good “storyteller” he was. Leon was a proud member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation. He was active in the tribe, teaching bow and arrow making classes, starting a drum group and learning to speak the Potawatomi language fluently. In 2009, surrounded by friends and relatives Leon received his traditional Potawatomi name “ Wagishek” which means “ Bright Sky”. In 2010, Leon was honored at the AARP Indian Elder Honors banquet held at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma for his tireless work with the Citizen Potawatomi Nation tribe. Leon loved all the children that came into the Cross home, no matter what their age, they were always welcome. His grandchildren, were the light of his life, no matter what request, none was too great. Though Leon accomplished many things in his lifetime, his most important achievement was his beloved family. His children and grandchildren were the light of his life. Leon was above all, “ a Family Man”, who’s always put his family first above all. Funeral services will be held 2:00 P.M., Monday, October 31, 2011 at the Bowlegs Assembly of God Church in Bowlegs, Oklahoma with Rev. Roy Robertson officiating. Burial with tribal rites will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Seminole. Casket bearers will be Gary Mainord, Gayland Lindemann, Bobby Northcott, Stacy Northcott, Steve Clayborn, Steve Robertson, Allen Harvey and Jeff Cavatt. Honorary bearers will be Charles Short, Gene Houck, Bill Kreeger, Joe Don Jones, Gene Estes, Darrel Blanchard, Bill Snider, Terry Winters, Danny Bowlan, Bill Brown and Sonny Harjo. Services are under the direction of Swearingen Funeral Home in Seminole Funeral Information: October 31, 2011, 2:00 PM Bowlegs Assembly of God Church located at Highway 377 South, Bowlegs, OK 74868