John Douglas Cross, Jr. of Mechanicsville, MD, died July 1, 2011 at his residence. Born June 25, 1943 in Leonardtown, MD, he was the son of the late John Douglas Cross, Sr. D.D.S. and Kathleen Carol Herfurth Cross.

Mr. Cross was the loving husband of Patricia J. Cross.

John is survived by his children; Julia D. Pitman of Baltimore, MD, Jennifer K. Jahn of St. Mary's City, MD, step-children Tammy Kieber of Leonardtown, MD, Janice Otte and Jerry Denton, Jr. both of Mechanicsville, MD, 10 Grandchildren and 2 Great-Grandchildren as well as siblings Robert E. Cross of Avenue, MD and Kathleen Abbigail Randa of Florida.

Mr. Cross was a lifelong St. Mary's County resident. John received a Bachelor of Science Education Degree from the University of Maryland as well as a Masters of Art Education Degree from George Washington University and was employed by the St. Mary's County Board of Education as a Teacher for 45 years, retiring in 2005. Mr. Cross taught at Esperanza Middle School, Margaret Brent Middle School where he was also the Vice Principal and Chopticon High School. He was also employed at Burchmart. John was the former President of EASMC. John loved his family, spending time with grandchildren, camping, fishing, traveling, reading and ceramics.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday, July 5, 2011 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM in the Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home, Leonardtown, MD with prayers being recited at 7:00 PM. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at 10:00 AM in All Faith Episcopal Church, Mechanicsville, MD with Fr. Charles Amuzie officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Pallbearers will be Carl Copsey, Jr., Dave Otte, Wayne Delozier, Doug Mills, Tim Cameron and Michael Gardiner. Honorary pallbearers will be Darrell VanHook, Ronnie Windsor, Joseph Lee Somerville, Jr. and Kevin D. Somerville.

Contributions in Memory of John Douglas Cross may be made to Hospice of St. Mary's P.O. Box 625 Leonardtown, MD 20650.

Arrangements provided by Mattingley-Gardiner Funeral Home.