Richard E. Cross

Richard Eugene Cross was born to Ralph Emerson Cross and Elsie Ocean Leach in Washington, D.C. on November 16, 1930. As a young man, he attended Noyes Elementary and McKinley Technology High School, before working as a Good Humor man. Richard served with the 63 Field Artillery Battalion during the Korean War. After he returned from service, he fell in love with Ruth Dolores Payne and they married on August 20, 1956. Together, they raised two children, Keith and Allyson Cross, in Fairfax, Virginia. Richard began his 27-year career as a professional firefighter in the D.C. Fire Department in 1957, climbing the ranks to Battalion Chief before retiring in 1980.

Four years later, he and Dolores relocated to Merritt Island, Florida, where he was Fire Chief for the Kennedy Space Center Fire Department until 1989.

Richard and Dolores celebrated their so" anniversary with family in

2006. Together, they shared a love for travel, visiting Egypt and dozens of other destinations across the world.

Richard is survived by his loving son, Keith Cross, and daughter-in-law, Nancy Cross, of Ashburn, Virginia and two granddaughters, Kathryn Cross of Dallas, Texas and Michelle Cross of Hillsboro, Virginia. He was preceded in death by his mother and father; sister, Elizabeth Wray; wife, Dolores Cross; and daughter, Allyson Cross.