David Lawrence Cross

CROSS, David Lawrence, 83, of Tampa, passed away on October 12, 2024. David was born in Rochester, New York, to parents Eli and Yetta Cross. He graduated from Ben Franklin High School in Rochester, NY, and then graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, NY. Next, he graduated with his DDS degree from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, OH, and finished up school with a Masters in DDS from University of Pittsburgh, in Pittsburgh, PA. David spent 30 years working for the Veterans Administration as a Periodontist. 

David moved to Tampa, Florida in 1973, where he was one of the founding members of Congregation Kol Ami as well as the first President. He was also a member of the Kol Ami Brotherhood and Kol Ami Brotherhood's Man of the Year in 2023. David was also an associate member of Hadassah. 

David was a great-grandfather who enjoyed playing cribbage and Five Crowns with his family. He loved to play Tuesday night poker with the same group of men for over 30 years. David was a lover of orchids and grew many. He was an avid reader of science fiction, a reluctant world traveler, and a loyal Bucs fan since the inaugural 1976 disaster. 

He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon, three children, Daniel Cross (Rhea), Kevin Cross (Staci), Sandra Cross, five grandchildren, Aaron, Sara, Camryn, Abigail and Hayden, great-grandson, Alexander, and several nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to The Kol Nidrei fund at Congregation Kol Ami. 

Services for David will take place Sunday, October 20th, 1:00 PM at Congregation Kol Ami with interment immediately following at Gan Shalom Cemetery. The family will be gathering with guests Sunday October 20th, Monday October 21st, Tuesday October 22nd at Congregation Kol Ami starting at 7:30 PM.