Steven Wayne Cross, 37, passed away Saturday, May 31, 2025, in Irving, Texas.

Visitation: 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Saturday, June 7, 2025 at Biggers Funeral Home, 6100 Azle Avenue, Fort Worth, Texas 76135

Private Family Burial will take place on Monday, June 9, at Tarleton Cemetery in Palo Pinto County, Texas.

Memorials: If you would like to make a donation in Wayne's memory, please consider memorials to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (https://www.aspca.org/ways-to-give), the American Heart Association (https://www.heart.org/en/get-involved/ways-to-give), the Trevor Project (https://www.thetrevorproject.org/be-the-one/) or a charity of your choice.

He was born October 8, 1987, in Midland, Texas, to his loving parents, Norma Elaine Little and Steven Michael Cross.

Wayne grew up in San Angelo and Fort Worth, where he graduated from Central High School (Keller ISD) where he was active in sports and numerous academic organizations. Wayne was a lifelong learner and – to no one's surprise – became a respected and well-loved teacher. He earned his bachelor of science degree from Stephen F. Austin State University, his dad's alma mater, where he studied kinesiology, biology and secondary education. Never content to stop learning, Wayne went on to achieve a masters degree in kinesiology from the University of North Texas and a masters degree in Christian education from the Dallas Theological Seminary. Wayne truly loved being in the classroom, and he was cherished by students at Boswell High School (Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD), IL Texas Keller High School and IL Texas Arlington-Grand Prairie High School. He deeply enjoyed sharing his love of science with his students at the Coppell High School Ninth Grade Campus, where he had just completed his first year of teaching and had earned the respect, friendship and admiration of his students and colleagues. In fact, on the last day of school, his students left a "portrait" of Mr. Cross on the whiteboard – a stick figure with one eyebrow raised in question. Any one of Wayne's family and friends knows this look well!

Wayne was adventurous and fully embraced the hobbies and activities that he loved. At Stephen F. Austin, he was a member of the Judo Club and Wesley Foundation Campus Ministry, traveling to Belize to help repair housing. He attended as many traditional Scottish Highland Games as he could, participating in events like the caber toss, hammer throw and stone put – dressed in kilt and all! Wayne had built great friendships with fellow gamers and the D & D community, and he loved a board game night with friends and family. He was an avid reader with bookcases full of cherished novels and comic books. A longtime fitness enthusiast, he had worked as a personal trainer and enjoyed playing volleyball, running and rollerblading.

Wayne will perhaps best be remembered as an advocate for the causes and people he loved. He deeply believed in the dignity and worth of all people, and held firmly rooted convictions that people deserved to be exactly who they wanted to be and to be accepted for it. He would give you the shirt off his back, his couch to sleep on or a nonjudgmental ear to listen. Wayne left a legacy of kindness, mercy and acceptance for us all to emulate. Although his life was heartbreakingly short, the depth of Wayne's compassion and the richness of his accomplishments far exceed his years.

Wayne was preceded in death by his grandparents, Betty and Dennis Little, Sr.; Nadai and J.B. Cross; uncles, Dennis Little, Jr. and Jackie Alley; and his beloved dog Beowulf.

He is survived by his parents, Norma and Steve of Fort Worth; aunts, Betsey Little (Mike) of San Angelo; Judith Alley of Little Rock, Ark.; and Terri Beal (Sidney) of Midland; cousins, Chris Little (Stephanie) of San Angelo and their children, Haley, Mackenzie and Jonah Little; Rickie Smith (Sam) of Little Rock, Ark.; Grant Little (Sarah) of San Clemente, Calif. and their children, Bella and Jackson Little; Sidney Beal of Midland and Dustin Beal of Pflugerville.

He will be dearly missed by a host of loving extended family members, friends and his cherished dog, Fenrir.