I lost a brother today.

[jason]

This morning I received a call from Chip Cross's wife Marita letting me know that he had been admitted back into the hospital, and it wasn't looking good.

Chip has been a member on RCC since 2006 and I had the honor of spending some great times with him at several events all over the country. Chip and I spent many hours on the phone talking and texting and he was a great moderator here on the site.

In September of last year Chip called me up and told me he was working on his bucket list and he needed some help. You see Chip had been diagnosed with renal cell carcinoma over 3 years ago and at that time he was only given 3 months to live. I asked Chip what it was that I could do to help him out, and he told me that the number 1 thing on his bucket list was to race in the King of the Hammers race. I asked him how serious he was and he said he had just bought a racecar.

It was an honor and a privilege to be given the opportunity to be a part of making that dream happen for him.

In spending time with him at the hammers, and back at his house in Louisiana it was easy to see what a strong person Chip was. You could tell he was in tremendous pain, but he never once complained about it at all. Not once did he give up, not once did he feel sorry for himself.

Chip knew inside what was coming, and he never once even thought about giving up, he truly was the strongest person I've known.

This afternoon my hero, Charles Hayward Cross, passed on. I love you brother.

As he told me a few weeks ago at his house, "Until we meet again"

[scorpion ax-10]

Sorry for your loss man, seems like he was a cool guy.

[TEDROCKZ]

Good stuff Jason! I enjoyed reading about and seeing the pics of your KOH trip. I believe it added a few more days of life and enjoyment to him.

[XSRCdesign]

Truly an inspiration on how to live life. Really puts ones "problems" in perspective. I think we all hoped he could beat it, sad to see he didn't.

This was really well said Jason. I'm sure he appreciated your assistance in all of this.

The world lost a good one today.

RIP chip

[gregrocks90046]

RIP Chip

[sally1800]

Originally Posted by jason

As he told me a few weeks ago at his house, "Until we meet again"

I pray for you often Chip as I know you reading this right now. Peace

Jason

He will be there waiting with smiles on his face.

[braceysdad]

We all lost a brother. Chip was a man we should all try to be like

[Hotrodblder]

I knew it was coming, but I'm at a loss for words. I only ever met him a few times at the bigger comps, but that all it took for him to leave a lasting impression on me. All you had to do was mention his name or read about him and I knew EXACTLY who you were talking about. Even though I never got the chance to know him like some of you, I will miss him, too. Find us some good crawl spots Chip. We'll meet you when our chores are though.

[dezfan]

I truely believe I have never met a nicer person in my life.

Love ya Chip!

[constantmotion]

Chip will definitely be missed. I have known him close to 7 yrs . We both started comping at the same time. He made to 6-7 hr trips up for every comp we had. I enjoyed every minute that we got to spend together. My wife and I traveled with him and his wife up to Crawlapolooza in '08. We definitely cherished that time with them. His wife was the best person in the world. I am happy that he is pain free now. He is now in heaven with his first born.

R.I.P Chip

Love ya man!!

[Tuffguy]

Had the pleasure of meeting him in 07 at the first Crawlapalooza. He treated me like we had known each other forever. He will be missed.
Very well said Jason.

[YoUnG_vErSiOn]

my optimism has alot to do with Chip's persistence and positivity even before he was diagnosed, he was so positive, never grumbled or talked bad about a single person. Even though i didnt meet him in person, he was always great to talk to on the phone....he always joked around and never let this sickness get the best of him. even when speaking to him one last time recently, Chip sounded like he was fine, a very strong man. even though his body couldnt keep up. Looking to the future, you finally won....you are free of the pain. Take care brother.
Aloha A hui hou! "Until we meet again"
Rest in Love and Rip the shit out of the desert in heaven- you will be missed and will live forever in our hearts and memories.
With tears of pain and Joy for you as i type this....
Love you Brother
Kila

[muddauber jr]

Rip Chip.

Met him at Crawlapalooza a few years ago, an was one of the nicest guys there.
We'll meet you on the other side.

[RXcrawler]

Chip is a awesome guy that we all should aspire to be more like. He will truly be missed by many. Glad to be able to of called him a friend.

[JasonInAugusta]

Such a strong, determined, hard-willed dude.


We lost a good * today.

[PontiacGT201]

R.I.P. Chip

[DISTURBIN' tha PEACE]

We lost a great man, son, husband, father, & friend today.

Rest In Peace brother *

[Rootar]

its sad to hear for sure, chip has showed us all how a real man handles his own troubles and still keeps his head up with positive outlook for those around him.

my thoughts go out to his family.

[k9popo]

Strongest man I've never met and ever known... The world mourns today... Chip left a winner!!! Godspeed...





Sent from your house when you were gone to work

[GySgt Hartman]

I knew Chip from this forum and had the opportunity to meet him at the indoor championship back in 2008. He was a genuine nice guy with a tremendous heart. When I heard his diagnosis a few years ago I was devastated, if I was in his shoes I don't know if I would have handled it anywhere as strongly as he did. In the last three years he lived a lifetime, he met every challenge head-on. We talked multiple times over the last few years and I was continually amazed at his positive outlook. When I learned he was going to race the King of the Hammers I knew as a friend I had to go and support him in any way I could. Seeing him in Hammertown for the first time in 5 years it was hard for me to hold back tears when the 300 lb guy I first met was barely 100 lbs. His strength and outright confidence at the end was truly amazing to me, I have never met anybody like him and I don't think I ever will.

Chip I will miss you.