Dr. Julian Fred Cross

Services for Dr. Julian Fredrick “Fred” Cross, 89, U.S. Army Colonel Retired, and Extension Educator, will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday, June 11, 2021, with full military honors, at the First Christian Church in Stephenville, with Pastor K.J. Kim officiating. Burial will follow at Coleman Cemetery in Coleman, Texas at 2:30 P.M. on Friday, June 11, 2021. Viewing will be held all day on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at Lacy Funeral Home.

Dr. Cross was born in Brownwood, Texas on December 24, 1931, to Coe and Inez (Marshall) Cross. He married Verna Joyce Vance on June 24, 1950, in Coleman, Texas. She preceded him in death on July 29, 2013.

Dr. Cross was an Elder Emeritus at the First Christian Church in Stephenville, Texas.

He had a BS in Agricultural Education; MS Animal Husbandry - The Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas,

PhD Adult and Extension Education- Texas A&M University. Retired from Texas Agricultural Extension Service, Texas A&M University System.

                -22 years County Agricultural Extension Agent – Potter, Stephens, Cottle-King, Sherman, and Tarrant counties

                -10 years Extension Community Development Specialist for Central and North Texas at The Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in Stephenville.

Erath County Emergency Management Coordinator 1987-1993

Tarleton State University Adjunct Professor of Agricultural Economics 2000-2001

U.S. Army Colonel Retired (3 years active duty, 9 years National Guard, 19 years USAR), 14 years on Army Pistol Teams

American Legion – Commander Turnbow-Higgs Post 240 Stephenville 1995-1996, 17th District Commander 1999-2001,

4th Division Commander 2004-2005, National Legislative Council 2005-2009

Life member of the Reserve Officers Association and Military Officers Association of America

Graduate Texas Crime Prevention Institute – Southwest Texas State University

                National Rural Crime Prevention Center – The Ohio State University Texas Crime Prevention Association –

Former Certified Crime Prevention Specialist

National Rifle Association Benefactor Life Member, Former Certified instructor Rifle, Pistol, Personal Protection, Shotgun, Law Enforcement Firearms, Training Counselor, and Referee

Texas Department of Public Safety – Former Certified Concealed Handgun License Instructor, Graduate of FBI Advanced Firearms Instructor Course – 1989

Former Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education Instructor

Dr. Cross is survived by his children, Michael Cross and wife Beth of Magnolia, Texas, Cathy Taylor and husband Joe of Stratford, Texas, Jim Cross and wife Olivia Flournoy of Canyon Lake, Texas and Tom Cross and wife Grace Reidy of Alexandria, Virginia; grandchildren, Jeremy Cross and wife Kate, Casey Dickerson and husband Matt, Benjamin Cross and wife Katie Paschall, Jordan Taylor and fiancée Elizabeth Miracle, William Cross and Kyle Cross; great-grandchildren, Amy Cross, Ellie Cross and Wendy Cross; and brother and sister-in-law Cecil and Pat Vance; nephew, Terry Vance; nephews-in-law, Mark Alberthal and Art Walls, and great niece, Nikki Holcomb. He was preceded in death by his wife, Verna; grandson, Erich Taylor; nieces, Tammy Alberthal and Teena Walls.

Memorials may be made to:

First Christian Church

450 West Tarleton St.

Stephenville, TX 76401

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