Richard T. Cross

Richard T. Cross ’63, of Easton, Pennsylvania, passed away on Oct. 1, 2025.

Richard T. Cross A.K.A. “Tricky” At 17:15 (5:15 pm) on October 1, 2025 while a resident of Easton Skilled Nursing Facility, in Easton, PA, Dick was called home to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was two days shy of being 80 years old when he was called home to be with the Lord. He is finally at peace with God and reunited at Fiddler’s Green with those whom he served with and who preceded him. Dick was born on October 3rd, 1945, in Fort Devens, Massachusetts, to Paul and Marjory Liggett Cross. His childhood was characterized by change and turbulence. Much of his young life was guided by his mom, whose priority was to put food on the table; because of this, Dick was accepted at the Milton Hershey School in Hershey, PA. He remained in this boarding school through high school, and upon graduation, he attended College. While in College, Dick showed that he had a highly developed moral compass, a very sharp mind, and excellent communication skills that were all controlled by his very disciplined work ethic and a knack for leadership. But above all, Dick could be mischievous and was most comfortable just having fun. So, before he completed College, he was drafted into the US Army and was trained as an Infantryman, and upon completion of his initial training, he was assigned to Armor Officer Candidate School and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of armor. From there, he immediately went to flight school and was certified as a pilot of a UH-1 Huey Helicopter. Dick found his calling! All he wanted to do for the rest of his working life was fly a Huey. Like so many others of the time, Dick ended up in Vietnam. During his first tour of duty, Dick flew medevac. He was the guy who came in, no matter how much gunfire there was, because he had to get the wounded to a hospital. During his second tour in Viet Nam, he did the second most dangerous job a pilot could have – piloting a reconnaissance helicopter in the Army’s Air Cavalry. He was a “Scout Pilot.” During this tour of duty while flying a “Little Bird”,OH-6, on an operational mission, Dick, was in the face of intense enemy fire, earning by his actions the nation’s third-highest award for valor in combat. Dick was awarded the Silver Star. Along with the Silver Star, he was also awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, a Purple Heart, and the Bronze Star. During his career in the Army, he married Ann Reddy in Fort Rucker, Alabama, on August 1st, 1970, and they had three children, Chad, Sasha, and Sean. They were assigned to numerous duty stations in the continental USA, Alaska, and a tour of duty in Europe. After Dick retired from the Army in 1991, he went back to school to finish his Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the University of Alaska in Fairbanks, which he earned in 1993 and his Masters degree of Science from the Central Texas College in 1996. In 1999 Dick relocated back to Pennsylvania and worked at an art gallery to help Ann with framing her artwork. In 2002 Dick bought the art gallery, not in hopes of making a profit, but in hopes of bringing his children back together to work in the family business. He had a heart for family; the “No Soldier Left Behind” wasn’t just a mentality for Dick, it was his heart. Dick loved photography, camping, gardening, art, going fishing, watching the Dallas Cowboys, and the Phillies, whenever they played. He also loved going to see the Iron Pigs with his oldest son and daughter at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, PA. Dick was an inspiration to his wife Ann with her artwork and helped her frame her pictures for art shows in Texas. He had many different interests, but teaching became a passion of his. Dick is preceded in death by his father, Paul, and his mother, Marjory. He is survived by his wife, Ann, his sister Midge McClary, his brother Glenn Cross, and his three children, Chad and his wife Robin, Sasha and her fiancé Mike, and Sean Cross. Dick also has three grandchildren: Bobby White, Tristan Zawick, and Seth Cross. As well as three great grandchildren Jordyn, Jocelyn, and Justus. A Celebration of Life Service is planned for 1 PM, Saturday, October 11, 2025 at the Ashton Funeral Home, 1337 Northampton St., Easton, PA with a calling period from 12:30 to 1 PM. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Wounded Warrior Project. Offer online condolences at www.AshtonFuneralHome.com.