It is with a heartbroken heart that we announce the passing of 47-year old Kurt Cross “Tasunke Luzahan” (Fast Horse)
Kurt’s Wife, Michelle L. Cross, decided to cremate his body in Jacksonville; therefore, we will never see him again on the planet Earth and he will never receive the proper honorable military burial he deserves.
The family believes that Kurt will be joyously greeted and received by all his loving relatives in the Spirit World, especially his grandparents, uncles, nephews, brothers, cousins, aunties, best friends, classmates, and pets.
Due to the Covid19 pandemic, the family is heartbroken that they will not be able to celebrate his life as they wanted at this time, but a celebration of Chief Petty Officer Tasunke Luzahan will be done at a time where we can all hug each other, shake hands, give a cheer, share a meal, and be there as family and friends.
In the meantime, the family of Kurt Cross would like to thank those who have extended their condolences and offered support during this sacred and sorrowful time.
Kurt Cross “Tasunke Luzahan” (Fast Horse) was born on January 2, 1973, in Chadron, NE, and passed on Sept. 24, 2020 in Jacksonville, Florida.
Kurt was born 7 minutes after his twin brother Kevin Cross and since they were twins, they were raised by the entire family or tiospaye including all the Aunties, Uncles, Grandmas, and Grandpas.
Kurt attended Loneman School in Oglala, SD, from Kindergarten through the 8th grade, and was on the cross-country team as a runner and on the wrestling team.
After graduating from Loneman, he attended Red Cloud High School, where continued in cross country and ran track. Kurt and Kevin were members of the 1990 SD State A Cross Country runner-up team.
Kurt graduated from Red Cloud in 1991 and then attended the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, SD.
Kurt enjoyed working alongside his Hunka father, the late Richard Tremble, as they painted various buildings on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Kurt loved spending time with his Grandparents, the late Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth and Marlene Blacksmith and his Labrador dog, the late Fred Cross.
On February 15, 1996, Kurt joined the United States Navy. Kurt was given the appropriate Lakota Tokala ceremony by his uncles, the late Wilmer Mesteth and the late Frances Chubbs Thunder Hawk, before he left for the Navy.
Kurt completed basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center in Chicago, Illinois, then proceeded to obtain numerous training and educational experiences through the Navy.
Kurt was highly trained and educated through the Navy as an Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist with primary duty as a computer and data analyst through various Naval Aviation logistics command systems.
He received the following awards: Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy “E” Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Medal, and Armed Forces Reserve Medal; and is
Kurt retired from the US Navy on February 29, 2016, with the rank of Chief Petty Officer and immediately enlisted in the Naval Reserve because he loved what he was doing for the Navy.
He was ready to be recalled to active duty at all times and remained proud and committed to the US Navy until the day he passed, a true Lakota Tokala and warrior until his death.
Kurt is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Fedelia Cross of Oglala, SD ; his twin brother Kevin Cross (children: Serenity, Amorita, and Daniel) of Oglala, SD; older brother Warren Cross (wife Terri, children Doug and Warren Jr.) of Oglala, SD; sister Dr. Ann Cross (daughter Lily DuBray) of Oglala, SD; sister Carrie Murdock (husband Frank, children Brennon and wife Sakura, Nevra, and Noah) of Pine Ridge, SD; sister Lois Cross (partner Tony Long Soldier, children Jalen and wife Ma’Lea, Ladaynia, and Louden) of Oglala, SD; sister Valeria Cross (children Amara and Maisha) of Rapid City, SD; Aunties: Ina Mae Sounding Side, Marian Poor Bear, Priscilla Long Soldier, Elizabeth Morrison, Melissa Blacksmith, Julie Blacksmith, Lenora Blacksmith, Karen Blacksmith, Fleta Two Bulls, and Christine Lajtay all of Oglala, SD; Norma Tibbits of Manderson, SD; and Lorna Her Many Horses of Rosebud, SD; Hunka mother Myrna Tremble of Mission, SD; Grandfather William Cross of Rockport, ME; and numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews from the Cross Family, the Blacksmith family, and the Her Many Horses family.
Kurt is also survived by numerous brothers and sisters of the US Navy and their families.