Dwayne Ernest Cross, 76, of Denver, Missouri passed away, Tuesday, August 19, 2025 at Harrison County Community Hospital in Bethany, Missouri.
Dwayne was born December 30, 1948 in Carroll, Iowa to Bill and Maxine (Clark) Cross. He was a graduate of Dow City High School where he met and later married his high school sweetheart, Cathy Marie Sharp. They married at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Dow City, Iowa on June 14th, 1969. Together, they raised two boys, his greatest joys, James and Jesse.
Dwayne was an educator. After graduating from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville, Missouri, he began teaching and coaching wrestling, football and MS track at Grundy Center, Iowa for 7 years. Dwayne then returned to Northwest Missouri State University and received his Master’s degree in Administration. After graduating, he returned to Iowa to be a middle school principal and high school wrestling coach for 5 years at South Page. The family then moved to Monroe, Iowa where he was the high school principal for 3 years, then Norwalk principal for 2 years, and then they made their journey to Kentucky for 1 year where he was the school’s county superintendent. They then made their way back to Iowa, where Dwayne was the Superintendent of Rockwell City-Lytton schools in addition to adding Lake City and Sac City in the final years in Iowa. Cathy and Dwayne lived in Rockwell City for 16 years before moving to Denver, Missouri in 2006 where Dwayne was a superintendent for Albany R3 School District for 1 ½ years before retiring from education.
Dwayne loved the outdoors and had many hobbies. He loved trapping and fishing, a passion he shared with his oldest son, James. He could build anything and fix anything, he loved carpentry work. Dwayne and Cathy loved the sport of wrestling, Dwayne coaching his 2 boys through years of youth wrestling, then watching in the stands as his sons and grandsons wrestled in high school. Whether cheering from the stands, sharing stories about his coaching days with legendary matches, or simply enjoying the sport’s lessons about determination and grit, wrestling was more than entertainment to Dwayne. It was a reflection of his own fighting spirit. He admired the discipline, respect and the heart behind the sport and those who knew him could see those same qualities in the way he lived. Dwayne was also an eloquent speaker and writer, writing many poems throughout the years which are now left for his family to cherish.
Dwayne lived a life of honesty, hard work and devotion to his family. He believed in doing the right thing, even when it was not the easiest path, and his quiet strength set an example for everyone who knew him. Those who had the honor of knowing him, would say that he had an incredible impact on anyone he encountered. Dwayne’s family is not just those bound by blood, but the many friends he encountered through the years, the students he mentored and the lives he touched just by being a man of great character. Still, years later, these people have all remained in his life. He truly believed that everyone deserved a fair chance and a firm hand shake even today was a sign of integrity. He will be remembered for his strong moral character, and his generosity. Whether lending a helping hand to anyone who needed it, mentoring younger generations or simply listening with patience, Dwayne touched countless lives with his goodness. He was a man of devoted faith, sharing his love for God with his Denver Community Church group.
It could be said that his greatest joys were his 2 sons, but then 4 grandchildren were born and he became a devoted grandfather to Dakota, Sawyer, Sierra and Brayton. If you would ask Dwayne what his greatest accomplishment would be, he would have said his family. He never missed an opportunity to offer guidance, encouragement or a warm smile to all of them. He loved watching both his children and grandchildren excel in sports but most importantly, seeing his grandchildren excel in academics. He had a full circle moment when this past May, he attended his grandson Sawyer’s collegiate graduation, graduating Summa Cum Laude, at his alma mater, Northwest Missouri State University.
Dwayne was preceded in death by his parents, his infant daughter Annie, his son and best friend, James, and his older brother David.
Dwayne leaves behind his loving wife of 56 years, Cathy Cross. His son Jesse Cross, and his daughter in law, Courtney Cross along with his four grandchildren, Dakota (Madalyn) Cross, Sawyer (Amber) Cross, Sierra Cross and Brayton Cross and bonus sons, Todd (Janelle) Onnen and Curt (Jen) Stumburg. He is also survived by his brother, Ron (Paula) Cross and sister in law Debbie (David) Cross, along with many, many family and friends who dearly loved him.
Although our hearts are heavy, we take comfort in knowing that his legacy of integrity, love and faith will live on in all who had the privilege of knowing him. Dwayne knew that his life on earth was limited but he also understood that eternity is promised and we all take comfort knowing he is at peace and again reunited with his son, James and all those that left before him. In true Dwayne Cross style, he left us with his own epitaph, a beautiful poem written about his own life…
“Since I’m not among you this day, do not come to my funeral in sorrow; for my time on Earth was fulfilled my way; with life experiences that God let me borrow. I lived a life of much happiness and joys, with many moments of laughter, love and care; enjoying a lot of big boy toys, with James and Jesse – a supportive pair; We don’t have to tell each other goodbye, God gave a Holy Spirit to each; On Earth we only physically die with our Holy Spirit to Heaven each will reach.”
Dwayne has been cremated under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. The family will hold a Celebration of Life at a later date. Memorials may be made to the Dwayne Cross Memorial Fund to be designated at a later date made out to Cathy Cross in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424.
