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