Hugh Wayne Cross

Hugh Wayne Cross - 81 of Merced, passed away in the comfort of his home in the early morning hours on Thursday, October 31st. Wayne was born to Bill and Sylvia Cross in Fresno, CA on October 10, 1943. He was raised in Visalia, CA and graduated from Redwood High School in 1961.  Following high school, he joined the Navy and volunteered to serve in the Vietnam War.

After his military service he worked as an underground electrician for Union Carbide Corporation near Bishop, CA.  While working for Union Carbide he met Carol Nash, and they would later marry in 1967; she would become the love of his life.  They moved to Merced, CA where he was employed by Pacific Gas and Electric Company for 42 years.

During his employment with PG&E, he continued his formal education earning an Associate of Science degree from Merced College and a Bachelor of Science from the University of San Francisco.  His interest in education was further demonstrated having served in numerous positions ranging from local instructor to Education Chairman on the Board of Trustees of the Pacific Service Employee Association.

Wayne held memberships in both the Sons of the American Revolution and the American Legion.  He was competitive in the sports of tennis, basketball and golf.  He also loved doing landscaping and just doing general yard work.

Wayne and Carol enjoyed traveling.  Their favorite places were Yosemite, Monterey, Carmel and Morro Bay.  They also traveled to Hawaii, Canada and Mexico.  Many of these trips were made with their children and created many fond memories.  Because of their love of travel and interest in genealogy, they made two trips traveling across the United States gathering information about the family and meeting many relatives along the way.  After six years they assembled the information in the form of a 350-page book: The Cross Family and Kin.

Wayne was a near lifelong Christian receiving his salvation at the age of 13 years.  He and Carol were baptized together in 1998 and since that time they searched for the right church for them.  In 2022 they found the Calvary Chapel in Merced.  It was everything they had been looking for - Faith and Family.

Wayne was predeceased by his parents Bill and Sylvia Cross, sisters Venita and Lora, and brothers Bill, Jack and Larry, his step father-in-law Wayne Case and mother-in-law Blake Nash Case, brother and sister-in-law Jerry and Sandie Nash, and sister-in-law Sandra Nash Smith.

He is survived by Carol, his loving wife of 57 years, daughter Dawn Cross, son James Cross and daughter-in-law Erin Cross.  He is also survived by two grandchildren Jacob Ryan Cross and Sarah Emily Cross, and many nieces and nephews.

Wayne’s greatest wish was God’s blessings for all.

Funeral Service & Celebration of life will be held at Calvary Chapel of Merced on Monday, Nov. 11th at 11:00 a.m. and Graveside Service with Military Honors will follow on Tuesday, Nov. 12th at 11:00 a.m. at the San Joaquin National Cemetery in Santa Nella, CA

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Hugh Wayne Cross, please visit our floral store.