In 2002, Turnbow-Higgs American Legion Post 240 passed a resolution naming J. Fred Cross the sixth Honorary Life Member in the long history of the Post.(Chartered 1920)
Other members receiving this distinction and year they were honored are; Brad Thompson, John Rogers & Ben B. McCollum (D) 1992; Brian Whitecotton & B.R. Kirkland 1998; J. Fred Cross 2002; LeRoy Griffin 2007; Don Douglas 2011 (D) and Roger Easter 2014.
Fred is a Past Commander of Post 240 and presently (2015) serves as Post 240 Judge Advocate. He has served Post 240 as Adjutant, Service Officer and Officer in Charge of the Honor Guard Team.
His service to the American Legion at the District level has been as 17th District Commander (1999 – 2001) and as Vice Commander, Chaplain and Adjutant. He also served as 4th Division Commander in 2004-2005 and served on the American Legion Department of Texas National Legislative Council from 2005-2009 requiring several journeys to Washington D.C. to lobby on behalf of the American Legion and Veterans.
J. Fred Cross was born in Brownwood, Texas; graduated from Coleman High School and received his Bachelor of Science Degree and Master of Science Degree at The Agriculture and Mechanical College of Texas and his Doctor of Philosophy Degree at Texas A&M University.
Fred earned his American Legion membership by serving in the U.S. Army and National Guard. He retired from Military service in the rank of Colonel. While on active duty, Colonel Cross served as a Company Executive Officer, Company Commander, Division weapons instructor, Battalion Motor Officer and Assistant Battalion Operations officer.
His Army National Guard assignments include serving as a Heavy Weapons Platoon Leader, Battery Commander, Battalion Adjutant, Battalion Air Operations Officer and Brigade Intelligence Officer, and 14 year service on the Army Pistol team.
Fred's Army Reserve assignments were instructor, Command and Staff College at Fort Worth USAR School; Mobilization Designee as Psychological Operations Officer at Fort Bragg, N.C.; United States Military Academy Liaison Officer, and individual Mobilization Augmente to the Federal Emergency management Agency.
Colonel Cross was assigned to the United States Army Retired Reserve in 1984. He retired in 1991.
Colonel Cross' military awards included Meritorious Service Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal with Bronze oak Leaf Cluster, Armed forces Reserve Medal with HOur Glass Device, National Guard Federal Service Medal, and National Guard Faithful Service Medal. Badges earned include Expert Marksmanship for rifle, carbine, pistol and machine gun. He also earned Bronze Excellence in Competition Badges for rifle and pistol.
His military service coupled with his extensive involvement and knowledge gained through the following civilian educational institutions has made him the go to guy when the Post is confronted with firearms issues; Fred is a Graduate of Texas Crime Prevention Institute- Southwest Texas State University; Graduate of National Rural Crime Prevention Center- The Ohio State University; Graduate of the FBI Advanced Firearms Instructor Course; He is a Former Certified Crime Prevention Specialist for The Texas Crime Prevention Association; Former Texas Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education Instructor; Former Certified Concealed Handgun License Instructor for The Texas DEPT.of Public Safety. He is also a National Rifle Association Benefactor Life Member, Former Certified Instructor Rifle, Pistol, Personal Protection, Shotgun, Law Enforcement Firearms; Training Counselor, Referee
As a civilian, Dr. J. Fred Cross continued his outstanding service to the Community, State and Nation as a Texas Agricultural Extension employee of The Texas A&M University System serving 22 years as a County Extension Agent in Potter, Stephens, Cottle-King, Sherman, and Tarrant counties.
His civilian career also included 10 years as Extension Community Development Specialist for Central and North Texas at The Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in Stephenville, Erath County, where he served as Emergency Management Coordinator 1987-1993. He was also employed at Tarleton State University in 2000-2001 as Adjunct Professor of Agricultural Economics.
Fred is a Life member of the Reserve Officers Association and Military Officers Association of America.
Having suffered a long illness Fred’s wife Verna, an Auxiliary Unit 240 Life Member, died July 29, 2013. Fred and Verna were married in Coleman, Texas on June 24 1950 and have,3 Sons,1 Daughter, 5 Grandsons, 1 Granddaughter.
As a newly active American Legion member, this writer came to know Fred as a friend, mentor and comrade. Fred takes great pride in The Legion and simply put “He knows his stuff” Post 240 is blessed to have his wise counsel and Fred is very deserving of his HONORARY LIFE MEMBER designation.
