Wilton Ray Cross

Dr. Wilton Ray Cross, 94, of Corpus Christi, Texas, passed away on March 5, 2026. Born on August 23, 1931, in Fort Worth, Texas, to Wesley and Lillie Cross, Ray grew up attending the Fort Worth Public Schools. He earned degrees from Texas Christian University, North Texas State University, and the University of Texas. A dedicated educator, he served as a teacher and principal in the Fort Worth Public Schools and later as a professor at the University of Minnesota and Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, where he played a key role in establishing the university’s first doctoral program.

Ray married Betty Lee Dickson on August 28, 1954. Their 71-year marriage took them to Fort Worth, Austin, Minneapolis, and Corpus Christi as they raised their four children. He served in the U.S. Coast Guard during the Korean War and was a longtime member of Parkway Presbyterian Church for 49 years, where he served as an elder and in various leadership roles.

In retirement, Ray and Betty devoted themselves to service. For four summers they worked with Constructores para Cristo, building homes for families in need in Piedras Negras, Mexico. They also spent five summers living among and serving the homeless through Meeting Ground in Elkton, Maryland. Locally, Ray volunteered for more than twenty years serving meals at Loaves and Fishes and worked with the Corpus Christi Literacy Council.

He was predeceased by his parents and his sister, Joyce Heath. Ray is survived by his wife Betty, son Douglas (Traci), daughters Rebecca Cross, Mary Rachel Cox (Lance), and Amy Van Zanten, five grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.