Harry M. Cross

HARRY M. CROSS, retired University of Washington Law Professor, PAC-10 and National Collegiate Athletic Association NCAA Official, died October 10, 2001 in Kirkland, WA from complications following knee surgery. He was born August 23, 1913 in Ritzville, WA. Harry married Mylinn A. Gould on December 25, 1935. Mylinn preceded Harry in death in May of 1999. He is survived by sons Harry M. Pete Cross Jr. of Kalispell, MT, Bruce Michael Cross of Seattle, and Kim Judson Cross of Kirkland; 8 grandchildren; and 3 newborn great-grandchildren, one of whom he just returned from visiting in London. He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate from Washington State University, in 1936, then received his JD with Honors from the University of Washington School of Law in 1940. He attended Yale University School of Law on a Sterling Fellowship in 1940-41. Harry worked as a reporter for the Yakima Morning Herald during 1937 and as a title officer at Washington Title from 1937-40. He served as an attorney for the US Treasury Department in Washington, DC in 1941-42 and for the Tennessee Valley Authority in Chattanooga, TN in 1942-43. He joined the UW School of Law faculty in 1943 as a Professor, retiring in 1984. Also, he served as an Associate Dean from 1975-1978 and as Acting Dean in 1978-79. Harry was visiting Professor at Columbia University in NYC in 1956-57; New York University in 1964; and at University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI in 1972. He served as President of the University of Washington Retirement Association from 1987-88. Harry was recognized as on of the nation?s leading expert on Community Property Law and wrote many law review articles, text books, and desk books and spoke throughout the state on the subject. Harry was instrumental in forming the current Community Property laws for the State of Washington. Harry served as University of Washington?s Faculty Athletic Representative from 1963-84. He was the NCAA President in 1969 and 70 and also served on the Executive Council of the NCAA in 1971, 72, & 73. He was Chairman of the NCAA Committee on Infractions during his 8 years on that Committee. He was President of the PAC-10 Athletic Conference and its predecessors for 3 years. He provided home for the University of Washington Husky Mascot starting in 1958 to the present. Harry?s honors and associations include: Order of Coif, Crimson Circle, Oval Club, Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Sigma Delta Chi, Phi Alpha Delta, and Kappa Sigma. He was a member of the Washington State Barr Association from 1940 to present, receiving their Honor and Merit Award in 1984. He received the Gonzaga University School of Law Medal in 1994. He also was awarded the Dr. Don H. Palmer Award from the Athletic Dept. of UW in 1997. In 1988 he received the WSBA Award of Excellence and in recognition of Harry?s accomplishments, UW School of Law created it?s first Professorship in Harry?s name. Harry was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the State of Washington in 1941. He was listed in Who?s Who in America and was proud to be probably the only Honor Society member of both University of Washington Oval Club and Washington State University Crimson Circle. Private family interment services will be held at Evergreen Memorial Park, Seattle, WA. A public celebration of his life will be Thursday, October 18, 2001 from 4-6pm at the Don James Center at Husky Stadium. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to The School of Law or the Athletic Department of The University of Washington. Please sign the online memorial book at www.evergreen-washelli.com.