Dennis Arthur Cross

Dennis Arthur Cross, age 75, died Saturday, August 13, 2011, surrounded by his family. A resident of New Orleans for 40 years, he was originally from Tulsa, OK. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents, Arthur Leonard and Louise Holem Cross, and his nephew, Tyler Garrett Cross.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Jane Schlesinger Cross, his daughters, Alexandra (Alex) Alayne Cross, Stephanie Cross Robles (Chris), and Allison Cross Vencil (Brad), his step-children, Weatherly (Wendy) Schlesinger Watters (Chris), Lee (Bubby) Cahn Schlesinger (Vera), and Sarah Schlesinger Mueller (Curtis), and his twin brother Donald Arthur Cross (Debbie). He was loved by his 12 grandchildren, who all knew him as “Poppy”: Sean Alexander Cross; Audrey Eugenia, Mia Corolan, and Reginald Richard Robles; Jake Ryan and Mason Delk Vencil; Christopher McLean and Jane Parker Watters; Elise Parker and Lee Samuel Schlesinger; and Anna Jane and Chase Wallace Mueller.

Dennis received a B.S. in Aeronautical Engineering from the University of Oklahoma in 1959, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude, played Varsity tennis, and was a member of the Sigma Nu fraternity. He earned his MBA from The Harvard Business School in 1964, after which he worked in the Office of the President in Republic of Zambia through the Fellows in Africa Program, sponsored by Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Ford Foundation. An avid tennis player, he participated in tournaments and became the Zambian National Singles Champion in 1966.

Upon his return to the United States, Dennis joined The Boston Consulting Group in Boston, MA. In 1971, he joined First Southern Capital Corporation as President, which brought him to New Orleans. In 1980, he founded Cross Offshore Corporation, which he ran until it was acquired in 2002. In 2002, he founded Cross Energy, Inc., which he directed until his death.

Dennis was a member of the United States Tennis Association (USTA) and remained an avid tennis player throughout his life. He was an active member of the New Orleans Lawn Tennis Club (NOLTC) of New Orleans, LA, the Longwood Cricket Club (LCC) of Chestnut Hill, MA, and the Bay Club of Mattapoisett, MA. He was particularly proud to have formed the “Oldest Clubs Challenge Cup Tournament” between NOLTC and LCC, the two oldest chartered tennis clubs in the Americas. .

Dennis was also a member of the National Ocean Industries Association and the National SBIC Association. During his career, he served on the Board of Directors for each organization.

His family is his lasting legacy, who he encouraged to always follow their dreams.

There will be a Memorial Mass on Thursday, August 18, 2011 at 11:30 AM from St. Mary’s Assumption Church, 923 Josephine Street at Constance in New Orleans, where Dennis was an active parishioner. Visitation will be from 10:30 AM until service time. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to A’s & Aces, 1036 Arabella St., New Orleans, LA 70115 or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.

THARP-SONTHEIMER FUNERAL HOME of Metairie is in charge of arrangements.. Information: (504) 835-2341