 'You just can't replace 37 years of experience and knowledge'; N.C. Forest Service officials and community members bid farewell to one of its most enduring members
On Friday, May 16, Walter Cross was working at the N.C. Forest Service (NCFS) Randolph County Office per normal. The next day, he was hospitalized for the final days of his life. Family, friends, coworkers, cooperators, landowners and many others who spent time with Cross all told a similar story of their experience being around him. How he made them feel, his work ethic, character and integrity; all indicative that he was authentic, the same person regardless of surroundings and circumstance. Cross’ many years of service were honored during his funeral with men and women of the NCFS in full uniform while the NCFS Honor Guard presented the colors. A fitting farewell to a man who gave all he had to his family, the NCFS and Randolph County. The NCFS will continue to protect, manage and promote forest resources for the citizens of North Carolina, just as Cross did for the last 37 years.
Notable testimonials:
"Walter was incredibly dedicated to the landowners of Randolph County. He consistently went above and beyond to ensure everyone received the support they needed. Walter had a strong sense of fairness and never wanted to see a landowner taken advantage of, especially when it came to selling their timber. His depth of experience made him truly unique. Over the course of his career with the N.C. Forest Service, Walter served in three counties across two districts and worked under four county rangers, six district foresters and six state foresters. By today’s standards, it’s unlikely we’ll see that level of dedication and longevity again. Walter’s commitment to his work and to the people he served left a lasting impact on our agency and the communities he supported.”- Keith Money, regional forester, NCFS Region 2
“Walter’s record keeping was great, but nothing can compare to the knowledge and experience that was in Walter’s head. We’ve lost a lot of information and wisdom about Randolph County with Walter’s passing. You just can’t replace 37 years of forest management and fire management experience and knowledge. He was a great person and loved the Lord. I hope to see him again in Heaven.” – Nancy Blackwood, district forester, NCFS District 10
“It was sad to lose Walter the way that he died. It seemed so fast that we didn’t get a chance to say goodbye to such a great man. He gave so much to his career and could’ve retired 10 years ago. But he loved his job so much that he didn’t even want to talk about retirement or leaving. I feel so bad that he gave as much as he did to the N.C. Forest Service and the State of North Carolina having not enjoyed one day of his retirement but for Walter, that would have been okay. He loved his job that much.” - Mark Bost, retired district forester, NCFS District 10, served as pallbearer
“Walter’s work ethic is something that I admire. Walter had a lot on his plate with the heavy forest management demands that came with his county. Most people in this situation would let things fall by the wayside and slip through the cracks. Walter was not that way and he made sure everything got done correctly. He focused on the small details most people would overlook. When I was hired as county ranger for Davidson County, he was someone I could lean on anytime I had questions. Randolph County and the N.C. Forest Service has lost a wealth of knowledge.” - Justin Alcaras, county ranger, Davidson County, served as pallbearer
“I found and lost one of the best people I ever had the honor to work with. I don’t know if there is an accurate way to describe his genuine care for this county and literally everything and everyone in it from the ground up. How do you describe a person that suffers for the benefit of everyone else? What is that called? Because that is what he was. A hard worker through and through. I miss him. I hear his silence every day. He is a man and a friend worth remembering.” – Catherine Britt, personal property appraiser, Randolph County Tax Department
We are the Forest Service is a continuous series that will run on NCFS social media platforms while also posting to the NCFS website and emailing to subscribers. Each month we will highlight an NCFS employee, or group of employees, who are currently serving in one of the many crucial jobs that help protect, manage and promote forest resources for the citizens of North Carolina.
Editorial note: This article is the second installment of a two-part series dedicated to the life of Walter Cross and his career with the N.C. Forest Service. Part one is also available online.
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