Thomas James Cross, Lt. Col., USAF, ret., age 86 of Pikeville, passed away Saturday, August 24, 2024. Tom was of the Baptist faith and attended Mt. Crest United Methodist Church. He loved his wife of almost sixty-five years and has missed her dearly for the past year. Tom loved his family and liked to travel, go camping, and fish. He was a student of the Bible, enjoyed singing, and had that very outstanding Baritone voice. Thomas retired after serving twenty-four years in The United States Air Force, was a member of the Military Officers Association, the Guidance Counselor at Howe Military Academy for five years, and was a faithful Master Mason, Eastern Star, Chapter Council, and Commandery, and faithfully attended the Bledsoe County Republican Party meetings. After retirement, he did some masonry and concrete work. Tom was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-five years, Jo Ann Powell Cross; parents, James Arthur and Helen LaSeta Cross; sister, Judy Helms. Tom is survived by his sons, Jeffery Ashford Cross, Robert Thomas Cross, and Timothy James Cross; daughter, Laura Ann Cross; great-grandchildren, Riley James Cross, and Stella Jo Hanley; sister, Rebecca Ann Miller; brother-in-law, Jerry Powell; sister-in-law, Hyang-Ryon; nieces; nephews, cousins; and a host of friends. A celebration of life with Masonic and military honors will be at 1:00 pm CDT Wednesday, August 28, 2024, in the Pikeville Funeral Home Chapel with Bro. Bruce Bayless and Bro. Rudy Oakes officiating. Burial will follow in Seals Cemetery. The family will receive friends 4:00 pm-7:00 pm CDT Tuesday, August 27, 2024, and 11:00 am until service time Wednesday at Pikeville Funeral Home. Condolences can be made at www. pikevillefuneralhome.com. Pikeville Funeral Home was entrusted with the arrangements