James Cross

1938 - 2025

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025, we lost a husband, father, fly fisherman, grandfather, mentor, and friend to many. His name was James Donald Cross. Though he was a man of considerable accomplishments, he was always humble. This is our chance to brag for him.

Jim was born in Wichita Falls on January 29, 1938, the only child of Preston Theo Cross and Cue Ell McDaniel. He moved to Fort Worth at an early age.

At Diamond Hill High School, Jim ran track, played basketball, and was a trumpeter in the band. He was selected Best All-Around Boy and Band Beau and attended Boys State in Austin. He graduated as salutatorian and served as Student Council President.

Jim attended Texas Christian University on an academic scholarship, where he received a B.S. in Mathematics and an M.B.A., and was president of Sigma Chi fraternity.

After college, Jim was hired by J.E. Foster & Son Mortgage Bankers to program and install the first IBM computer for a commercial business in Fort Worth. He then joined IBM, holding sales positions in Dallas–Fort Worth and Waco.

In 1969, Jim moved his family to San Jose, California, where he was an instructor in IBM's Customer Executive Program, teaching computer concepts to CEOs of Fortune 500 companies. He later managed IBM's General Systems Division in Omaha, Nebraska.

Jim returned to Texas in 1975. He was director of training for Tandem Computers, designing and teaching classes worldwide. Jim then formed his own company specializing in professional development training and later served as an adjunct professor in the business schools of Texas Wesleyan University, The University of Dallas, and The University of Texas at Arlington. Jim was instrumental in designing the curriculum for Freese and Nichols University.

Jim served in the Air Force Reserves and was a fifth-generation descendant of William Cross, who at age 14 was a drummer in the Revolutionary War.

He was a member of the Episcopal Church, serving as an usher, vestry member, and senior warden. He was also president of Mental Health America of Greater Tarrant County.

Jim is survived by his wife of 61 years, Judith Martin Cross; sons Clay Martin Cross and Alan Preston Cross, and Alan's wife, Melinda Wade; granddaughter Alyssa Brooke Cross and her husband, Justin Shelton; Alyssa's brother, Sebastian James Eaton; Alyssa and Sebastian's mother Pamela Moore, granddaughter Willa Sydney Cross; aunt Lorraine Cross; and cousin Shirley Cross Davis.

The funeral is at 2 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, at the chapel of All Saints Episcopal School, 9700 Saints Circle, Fort Worth, Texas 76108. A reception will follow the service.

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If desired, memorial gifts may be made to Dementia Friendly Fort Worth (www.dffw.org).