Stillwater resident Dr. John Ray Cross, 85, passed away May 19, 2025 in Stillwater, Oklahoma. A celebration of his life will be 1:00-3:00 p.m. Saturday, July 26, 2025 at the ConocoPhillips OSU Alumni Center, in the Traditions Hall, 201 Conoco Phillips, Stillwater, OK 74078.


Dr. Cross was an enrolled member of the Seminole Nation, a federally recognized American Indian tribe. He was a member of the Bear Clan and the Hvteyievike Band of the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma.

Professor Cross was born October 24, 1939 in Okemah, Oklahoma to Luther Benjamin Cross and Emerick Jane (Pack) Cross. During his early years he was a Golden Gloves Boxing Champion and received many awards and championship titles. He held a Joint Boxing Scholarship from the University of Arkansas Ft. Smith and the Fort Smith Boys' and Girls' Clubs. He was Director of the Jeffery Boys' Club in Ft. Smith and several years ago was inducted into the Boys' and Girls' Clubs Hall of Fame.

Dr. Cross received his bachelor's degree from Oklahoma State University majoring in Sociology. He earned a master's degree from the University of Tulsa and later his Doctorate from the University of Missouri-Columbia. In 1969 he married Katherine (Staiger) and began his teaching career at Northeastern Oklahoma State University as an Instructor of Sociology. His career took him to Missouri, Nebraska, New York, and North Dakota, but he came back full circle to Oklahoma in 1985 when he was hired as Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology and Coordinator of the American Indian Studies Program at Oklahoma State University. He was appointed Associate Professor of Sociology in 1990 and taught there until he retired in 2009. He proudly wore a hat pin commemorating his over 50 years of membership in the OSU Alumni Association on his ball cap.

During his career he had numerous articles published related to Sociology and Manpower Economics. Also, Professor Cross was Editor of Free Inquiry in Creative Sociology for fifteen years and Associate Editor of Journal of Ethnicity in Criminal Justice.

Dr. Cross was preceded in death by his parents, Luther and Emerick Jane Cross; son, Andrew Cross; brothers, Jim Cross and Gerald Cross; sister, Marquita Webb and brother-in-law, Jerry Webb; and sister-in-law, Dorothy Cross.

Survivors include his wife of 55 years, Kathie Cross of the home, daughter Kara Cross, son Brian and wife Carol Cross, and two grandchildren, Peyton and Finn Cross. Survivors also include his brother, Orvin Cross; brother Carl Cross; sister Nakina Haug and brother-in- law Tom Haug, sister La Rae Cross, as well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Oklahoma Chapter, 6601 Broadway Extension, Suite 120, Oklahoma City, OK 73116.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff of the Renaissance of Stillwater Assisted Living & Memory Care and Luminos Hospice for their compassionate care during this past year.