Thomas Crocker Cross

Thomas “Tim” Crocker Cross, of Arlington, VA, passed away on May 28, 2024 at the age of 76. Born on October 31, 1947 in Boston, MA, he was the eldest of six children to the late Patricia Crocker Cross and Harold Cross Jr.

Tim attended Belmont Hill School in Belmont, MA, and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Sciences from Harvard University in 1970. He furthered his education with a Master’s in Criminology from University of California Berkeley in 1972, and a Master of Business Administration from Stanford University in 1977. In addition to his master’s programs, Tim joined the U.S. Army Reserves, where he served as a Medic for 6 years.

From an early age, Tim knew he wanted to dedicate his life to public service. He spent his 35-year career as a dutiful and respected employee of the Justice Department, State Department, Small Business Administration, and lastly, the National Science Foundation, where he served as Deputy Inspector General. Outside of work, he continued to support his community, spending 16 years as a volunteer for the Arlington County Auxiliary Police, and, most recently, volunteering with the SPCA at their dog adoption events.

Not only was Tim smart and ambitious, but he also had a keen sense of adventure, which led him on a solo motorcycle tour of Europe. He loved to travel and connect with people everywhere he went. Tim was a man of kindness, integrity, and generosity, and he left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.

In 1984, he met his wife, Paulette Parker Cross, on a blind date set up by friends in Arlington, VA. They were married two years later, in 1986, and welcomed their only child, Courtney Parker Cross, in 1988. Tim had just become a grandfather with the arrival of Parker Price in January 2024. He was a loving and devoted husband, father, and grandpa.

A man of many hobbies and skills, Tim was an amazing craftsman and woodworker. He delighted in building furniture and fixing almost anything for family, friends, and neighbors, always ready to lend a helping hand. In his downtime, he was an avid tennis player, winning tennis tournaments on Cape Cod as a kid, and later teaching his daughter, Courtney, how to play. Tim also developed a love of photography, and came back from every trip with an impressive array of photographs.

He is survived by his wife, Paulette Cross; daughter, Courtney Cross and her husband Jesse Price; granddaughter, Parker Price; sisters, Tia Cross, Katherine Peters and her husband Timothy Peters, Darthea Cross and her husband Michael Leacher, Rosalie Nelson, Marion Kerr and her husband Stephen Kerr; as well as two nieces, three nephews, two great nieces and three great nephews.

He was loved by many and will be missed by all.

A Celebration of Life will be held in October. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Tim’s name to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Animal Welfare League of Arlington, or King Street Cats, Alexandria.