George Howard Cross III

George Howard Cross III, jazz enthusiast, history buff, and beloved father of four, passed away peacefully on September 4, 2025 with his wife Susan Fauth Cross by his side.

George grew up in Wilmington, Delaware, graduating from Tower Hill School and Yale University. After college, George married Gwendolyn (Wendy) Rendall, who was attending nearby Connecticut College, with whom he shared over 40 years together before her passing in 2002. George and Wendy raised four children in Winnetka, IL, where they were blessed with an incredible community of friends.

In 2004 George married Susan Fauth Cross and moved to her hometown of Grand Blanc, Michigan where they shared a life together with many friends and extended family. He enjoyed spending time in the Grand Blanc and Flint public libraries and loved his Saturday lunch group at Little Joe's. 

George will be remembered for his love of jazz, especially Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald and Benny Goodman, as a promising southpaw who loved baseball, an avid golfer, a skilled curler, and often the life of the party. He loved Civil War History and read countless books on American Presidents. He had a fondness for birds and spent many hours watching them from the window in Grand Blanc, Michigan where he spent the last 21 years with his wife Susan. 

He is survived by his wife Susan; his four children Marcie Cross Sandalow (Marc Sandalow), Laura Cross Collyer (Dan Collyer), Andrew Rendall Cross, and Sarah Cross Shideler (Bill Shideler), and step-children Heidi Fauth James (Edwin), John N. Fauth, Jr. (Gloria) and Julie Fauth Smithson, along with brother Ward Cross (Carol). He was known as “Grumps” to his grandchildren, Casey, Charlie, Malcolm, Jake, Ella, John F., Sylvie, John N. and Harrison. 

The family has asked that no flowers be sent but rather please consider a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, your local library or charity of your choice. Memorial celebrations will be held in both Michigan and Illinois at a future date. 

Arrangements are being handled by Sharp Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 6063 Fenton Rd., Grand Blanc, Michigan. 

Tributes may be shared at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.