The family of Stephen Craig Cross (“Steve”) is heartbroken to report that Steve passed away at his home in Fillmore on the morning of Wednesday, December 18, 2024. His death followed a yearlong battle with cancer during which Steve fought courageously to survive.
Steve was born in Los Angeles on April 4, 1951, to Mary Margaret Rutherford (deceased) and Harold Sturman Cross (deceased). Steve attended Taft High School in Woodland Hills. He also attended Moorpark College and Mount Hood Community College in Oregon.
Steve had a lifelong love and passion for horses, horseback riding and training. Steve acquired his first horse at the age of twelve and, from there, he went on to have a very successful career as a champion rider and hunter jumper trainer. During his lifetime, Steve was the recipient of many awards of his own. However, Steve’s true passion was as an educator, and he devoted most of his professional life to his clients. Many of whom he trained from an early age into adulthood. Among Steve’s proudest moments was seeing his clients go on to become champion riders and win prizes. But, with or without prizes, Steve’s true joy was working with his students to instill in them the same love and passion he had for riding and to pursue their dreams in whatever ways made them happy.
Perhaps most notable of all, Steve will be remembered for his kindness, intelligence, his quick wit, a wonderful sense of humor and an innate charm that endeared Steve to his clients and fellow professionals as a very loyal and lifelong friend.
Steve is survived by his devoted and loving sisters Colette Cross of Huntington Beach and Marla Cremin of Prescott Valley, Arizona, her husband Steve Cremin; his nephew Michael Cremin, his wife Stefanie and their son Jamie; his niece Erin Cremin and Steve’s loving cousins Mark MacDonald, his wife Carol and Drew McDonald and his wife Lianne and their respective children and grandchildren. Steve is also survived by his loving and devoted domestic partner, Jerry Mulligan, with whom he shared his last few years at the home he loved.
A private memorial service will be held for Steve at a date to be determined.