R E S O L U T I O N 1-1 WHEREAS, The passing of Robert P. "Robo" Cross on October 16, 1-2 1996, at the age of 65, brought a great loss to the relatives and 1-3 many friends of this esteemed Alpine resident; and 1-4 WHEREAS, The son of Dick and Mary Lea Cross, he was born 1-5 September 26, 1931, in San Antonio and earned a degree in range 1-6 animal science from Sul Ross State University in 1952; and 1-7 WHEREAS, After completing his service with the United States 1-8 Air Force during the Korean War, he returned to the university to 1-9 pursue his studies, and it was there that he met his future bride, 1-10 Reba Theus; the couple were wed on July 9, 1960, and went on to 1-11 nurture a happy and rewarding marriage that spanned 36 years; and 1-12 WHEREAS, The Crosses resided in Fort Stockton for more than 1-13 two decades before returning to Alpine in 1981, and they were well 1-14 regarded in both communities for their hard work and dedication; a 1-15 former feed salesman, Mr. Cross was the owner of Big Bend Wool and 1-16 Mohair for many years, and he further contributed to the local 1-17 economy as a rancher for more than three decades; and 1-18 WHEREAS, Throughout the years, he maintained an abiding 1-19 commitment to his alma mater, and as a former board member and 1-20 president of the Ex-Student Association, he helped to make higher 1-21 education a more attainable goal for many Texans by developing the 1-22 Lifetime Membership program to generate scholarships for deserving 1-23 students; Mr. Cross and his family have been ardent supporters of 1-24 the school's athletic program as well, and the family has never 2-1 missed a homecoming in the past 36 years; and 2-2 WHEREAS, In addition, this remarkable Texan played a pivotal 2-3 role in the development of the Big Bend Civic Center Building fund, 2-4 and saw his efforts reach fruition in the summer of 1996, when land 2-5 was purchased to begin development of the complex; and 2-6 WHEREAS, Robo Cross left an indelible mark on the community 2-7 he was proud to call home, and though he is gone from us now, his 2-8 memory endures in the hearts and minds of all who were privileged 2-9 to know him; now, therefore, be it 2-10 RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 75th Texas 2-11 Legislature hereby pay tribute to the life of Robert P. "Robo" 2-12 Cross and extend sincere sympathy to the members of his family: to 2-13 his beloved wife, Reba Theus Cross; to his children, Justin Guy 2-14 Cross, Stuart Paul Cross, and Kimberly Dawn Johnson; to his 2-15 grandchildren, Jarrod Matthew Johnson, Andrew Jordan Johnson, 2-16 Sierra Dawn Johnson, Joshua Guy Cross, Lacey Jo Cross, and Logan 2-17 Hoyt Cross; to his sisters, Janet Thompson, Mae Tarrant, and 2-18 Dorothy Cotter; and to his many other relatives and friends; and, 2-19 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 Robert P. "Robo" Cross. Gallego _______________________________ Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 605 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 25, 1997. _______________________________ Chief Clerk of the House