Long-time Hereford breeder and Calgary businessperson Donald Cross died Oct. 19.
Born in Calgary in 1932, Cross was involved with the brewing, hotel and ranching industries.
His grandfather was A.E. Cross, one of the Big Four who started the Calgary Stampede, and his father, James, established Bar Pipe Farms in 1953 near Okotoks.
The family has run a production sale at the ranch for more than 50 years and has been an active supporters of the Calgary Bull Sale, where the Bar Pipe name was often associated with high selling grand champions and genetics sold around the world.
Read Also
Ag in Motion innovation awards showcase top 2025 ag technology
The 2025 Ag in Motion Innovation Awards celebrated winners across five categories: agronomics, agtech, business solutions, environmental sustainability and equipment.
Cross obtained a bachelor of commerce degree from the University of Alberta in 1954 and an MBA from the University of Western Ontario in 1958.
His business career started with the Calgary Brewing and Malting Company followed by Canadian Breweries in Toronto.
He was a past-president of the Calgary Stampede, the Calgary Chamber of Commerce and Ranchman’s Club. He and his wife, Shan, were also involved with the Priddis-Millarville Agriculture Society and other community activities.
He was chair of the Keith Gilmore Foundation board of trustees for 20 years and was a large supporter of the Canadian Hereford Association and its junior program.
His survived by his wife, Shan, four children and four grandchildren.
