Ronald (Ron) Raphen Cross

December 20, 1953 - January 29, 2010

© Holmes Coffey Murray Funeral Home

Submitted by:TD

Services will be held for Ronald (Ron) Raphen Cross at 2:00pm on Thursday, February 4th at the First Christian Church in Durant. Ron died on January 29, 2010 at his home surrounded by loved ones. Pastor Dave Smith, Jimmy Stegall, and Brad Walters will officiate.

The son of Raphen and Naomi (Pamplin) Cross, Ron was born December 20, 1953 in Sulpher, Oklahoma. He married Tammy Cooper of Mead on December 7, 1985. A lifetime resident of Durant, he graduated from Durant High School in 1972 and attended Southeastern State College. Ron was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity at Southeastern and was presented with an honorary recognition from the TKEs in 2007 for his business acumen and philanthropy. Ron was President and CEO of Indian Nation Wholesale Company (INW) and his vision and ability to plan for the future fulfilled the dream for the wholesale business that his parents founded. INW is the 20th largest candy and tobacco wholesale distributorship in the nation and employs more than 300 employees. Durant is the home base of INW with satellite warehouses located in Lawton and Norman, OK. Ron has served as a board member and past president of the Oklahoma Wholesale Marketers Association (OWMA). He also served on the Board of Directors of the American Wholesale Marketers Association (AWMA). Ron served as the Vice Mayor of the Durant City Council from 2001 to 2009 and also served on the Durant Industrial Authority, Durant Economic Development Authority, Durant City Utilities Authority and the Durant Airport Authority. During his tenure on the council he was instrumental in helping to bring several new businesses to Durant. These businesses have provided jobs which have helped to boost Durant’s economy. He also served as Board President of the Cross Family New Life House. Ron has traveled the world with his family, friends, and employees. Experiencing other cultures and countries not only increased his knowledge, but enhanced his love of the United States. He was an avid reader, rock and roll fan, history and military buff, follower of national and world events, and a champion for those in need. His greatest joy in life was spending time with his family and watching his children grow up.

Ron was preceded in death by his father, Raphen Cross, and his grandparents.

He is survived by his wife, Tammy, and his three children, Greg, Shawna, and Bradley of the home. He is also survived by his mother, Naomi Cross of Durant, and aunts, Alene “Bee” Jones of Springfield, MO and Jean Craig of Luray, VA, an uncle, Kenneth Pamplin of Oklahoma City, OK, many cousins and special friends, Walter Brearly and Steve Roper.

Family hour will be from 6 to 8pm on Wednesday, Feb 3rd, at Dalton-Holmes Funeral Home. Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Durant. Pallbearers are Richard Anderson, Steven Potts, Walter Brearly, Steve Roper, Craig Engles, Mike Rhyne, Joe Paul Johnson, and Dick Dunham.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Cross Family New Life House at 1034 Sandstone Road, Durant, OK 74701.

Condolences may be sent to the family at dhfh@communicomm.com