Patrick Joseph Cross

Patrick Joseph Cross, 76, passed on December 19, 2022. He was born in Boise, Idaho on May 29th, 1946, to Gerald and Mary De Blieck Cross. He was their oldest child, followed two years later by his sister, Karon. The family lived in East Boise and Patrick attended Garfield Elementary, East Junior High and Boise High. He graduated in the class of 1964 and has maintained many of his school friendships throughout his entire life. Patrick graduated from Boise State with a BS, but his work as a landscaper led to his life’s career. As a young man, he formed Landscaping Incorporated and then bought Hillside Nursery. He landscaped many of the subdivisions and developments around Boise in the 70’s and 80’s.

He was married to Linda Kendall and they had two children together, Rachel and Jerry. After Pat and Linda divorced, Patrick lived internationally, working for Bechtel Construction in Saudi Arabia, landscaping International Airport Projects. He married the love of his life, Anita Baay, in May of 1989. Through Anita, Patrick acquired another large family with many siblings, nieces and nephews he adored. Patrick loved visiting family at their residence in the Philippines, where Anita is from.

Patrick returned from Saudi to Boise after 18 years, in 1999, to be near his beloved father and his grandchildren. He purchased a house nearby and until Gerald’s death in 2014, Pat would go by and “start his heart” every morning, getting him up and getting his breakfast and coffee. He was a wonderful, devoted son. When he returned to Boise, Patrick became very active in his church. He dedicated much of his time to the evolution and care of Engage Boise Church and its community. The church meant the world to him. He was a devout Christian who practiced what he preached.

He spent as much time as he could with his son, Jerry, and his boys, Wilder and Daring, in Kooskia, Idaho. He loved hunting, fishing, rafting, and camping and pursued them all around the world. Pat and Anita traveled extensively and he leaves people across the globe grieving his loss. Pat was larger than life. He made friends everywhere he went. He maintained relationships with cousins across the county. His loss leaves an immense hole in the hearts of so many people but particularly his family. He is survived by Anita, his children, Jerry (Yvette), Rachel (Bingo), his sister Karon (Larry) Richardson, his grandchildren, Kendall (Mackenzie) Cross, Jessie (Clayton) Graham, Gabriel (Lee) Paxton, Wilder Cross, and Daring Cross. His grandchildren were the apples of his eye. He adored them and was a wonderful Grandpa Popcicle.

There will be a viewing at Alden Wagoner in Boise, from 5-7 on Thursday the 22nd of December. There will be a service at Engage Boise on Friday, December 23rd at 11:00, followed by a meal and then a graveside service at Morris Hill Cemetery at 2:30. The 11:00 service will be streamed live from Engage Boise for those who can not attend in person.