By Gallego                                             H.R. No. 901
       74R9948 SAJ-D
                                  R E S O L U T I O N
    1-1        WHEREAS, The passing of Tom G. Cross on November 22, 1994, at
    1-2  the age of 84, brought a great loss to the many friends and
    1-3  relatives of this beloved Texan; and
    1-4        WHEREAS, Mr. Cross spent most of his childhood in the
    1-5  community of Alpine, graduating from the local high school in 1926
    1-6  before continuing his education at Sul Ross State University; and
    1-7        WHEREAS, He began his distinguished 41-year career with
    1-8  Dallas's Lone Star Gas Company in 1930; he first worked as a
    1-9  stenographer, but his dedication, hard work, and attention to
   1-10  detail soon earned him a series of promotions, and he rose to the
   1-11  positions of corporate secretary and vice president before retiring
   1-12  from the company in 1972; and
   1-13        WHEREAS, This exceptional gentleman received his law degree
   1-14  from Southern Methodist University Law School in 1949, after
   1-15  attending evening classes over a period of years so that he could
   1-16  support his family with his day job; and
   1-17        WHEREAS, A man of boundless energy and enthusiasm, Mr. Cross
   1-18  enjoyed an active retirement; he returned to his childhood home of
   1-19  Alpine, where he generously gave of his time, talents, and energies
   1-20  to the benefit of several worthy organizations, including the
   1-21  Friends of the Library, the Cancer Society, and the Museum of the
   1-22  Big Bend; and
   1-23        WHEREAS, He positively affected a host of issues vital to
   1-24  older Texans as a valued member of the Texas Joint State
    2-1  Legislative Committee of the American Association of Retired
    2-2  Persons; and
    2-3        WHEREAS, Mr. Cross received his spiritual strength as a
    2-4  member of First United Methodist Church, where he was church
    2-5  treasurer and a member of the administrative council; and
    2-6        WHEREAS, Throughout his lifetime, this outstanding Texan
    2-7  worked tirelessly to serve the needs of his community; though his
    2-8  special presence will be missed by all who knew him, his unique
    2-9  spirit will surely live on in the hearts and minds of the many
   2-10  people whose lives he touched; now, therefore, be it
   2-11        RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 74th Texas
   2-12  Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Tom G. Cross and
   2-13  extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to his
   2-14  beloved wife of 61 years, Lois Dugger Cross; to his daughters,
   2-15  Tommie Jean Cross and Mary Ellen Vidar; to his son, John Cross; to
   2-16  his five grandsons; to his great-granddaughter; to his nephew,
   2-17  Robert Cross; to his three nieces, Janet Cross Thompson, Dorothy
   2-18  Cross Cotter, and Mae Cross Tarrant; and to his many other friends
   2-19  and relatives; and, be it further
   2-20        RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be
   2-21  prepared for the members of his family and that when the Texas
   2-22  House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of
   2-23  Tom G.  Cross.