Alfred Albert Croix

Alfred ‘Al’ Croix, 87, of Aubrey passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023. He was born at home in Iowa Colony, Brazoria County Texas. He was the first child of 9, of Albert and Marguerite Croix.

At Manvel Elementary school, Al was captain of the gold team, and they won the school academic challenges, beating out his best friend Charles Laigle’s Maroon team.

Al set high standards for himself achieving in his youth Star Farmer from the FFA organization and Gold Star Boy in 4-H, and the National Honor Society as well as earning a scholarship to Texas A&M University. Al played guard on the Alvin High School football team and was so trustworthy he was “gifted” the job of driving the athletes to and from practice using the school owned bus.

Maroon was his color; he attended Texas A&M University as a member of the corps of cadets and majoring in Dairy Science. After graduation in 1957 he became a County Agricultural Agent serving over time Brazoria, Nacogdoches, Panola, and Denton Counties in Texas. He also was a mentor to Future Farmers of America and 4-H Youth and sponsored a scholarship for the Denton Youth Fair. He later returned to Texas A&M for his master’s degree.

Al was proud of serving his country. He was in and out of active duty, notably after the Cuban Missile Crisis, and in the reserves. He was a paratrooper. He was commander of the National Guard unit providing relief in 1979 when tornados devastated Wichita Falls, Texas. He rose to the rank of Colonel before retiring from military service.

In 1955 Al married Patsy Jane Davis with whom he had 2 children. Many years later they divorced. In 1974 Al married Bernice LaGrone Pierce welcoming 3 stepchildren to his family.

He has been a member of the Lions Club, Texas County Agricultural Agents Association, American Dairy Science Association, Texas National Guard, TAMU’s Sul Ross Alumni Association, and the Denton First Christian Church.

Visitation is Monday March 6, 2023 from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM at DeBerry Funeral Directors, Denton. Funeral Service is Tuesday March 7, 2023 10:00 AM at First Christian Church, Denton and Graveside Service with military honors 12:00 Noon at Belew Cemetery in Aubrey. Following is a reception with family at the First Christian Church 1203 Fulton, Denton at 1:00 PM.

Al was preceded in death by his wife Bernice, sister Julie Patty, and parents Albert and Marguerite Croix. He is survived by son Fred Croix and wife Candy of Valley View, daughter Sheryl Croix-Dickmann and husband Fritz of Houston, stepchildren Charles D. Pierce and wife Pam of Corinth, Keith Pierce and Penny K. Pierce both of Denton; Siblings: John Croix (Mary Francis), Elizabeth Harris (Ben), Diana Costello, Mary Ludwick (Roy), Alice Collins (Larry), Lydia Bond, and Nancy Croix-Stroud. Grandchildren: Scott Croix, Katie Payne, Joseph Pierce, Daniel Pierce, John Mark Pierce, Isaac Pierce, Ethan Pierce, Rebekah Faubion, and 17 great grandchildren.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Christian Church of Denton, Texas A&M University, or the American Cancer Society.