Marvin Paul Cross

Marvin Paul Cross, age 81, passed away on Sunday, February 19, 2023.

A West Virginia son, Paul expanded his world beyond his hometown, visiting his uncle in Aiken, SC, in summers to fish and graduating from West Virginia University and George Mason University. Paul’s teaching career took him briefly to Maryland and then to Swanson Middle School in Arlington, Virginia, where he taught and coached for the remainder of his career. It was at Swanson that Paul met then-art teacher Judy Beighley, who would become his wife of 50 years. Along his journey, Paul found his lifelong avocation -- golf. In his lifetime, he played over 900 courses, including those of which he was a member: Fairfax Country Club in Fairfax, VA, and Woodside Golf Club in Aiken, SC. About golf, Paul would say that each game was different—and that unlike other sports golf was a game of player vs. the course, not player vs. player. Paul also loved to travel with his wife Judy—not only to golf courses, but to destinations including Hawaii and Italy. One of the trips to Hawaii was their three-week honeymoon, a trip he deemed one of his favorites. Friends who knew Paul saw him as an ever-present support to Judy in her many volunteer initiatives, as well as to her mobility, which has declined over the years.

Paul and Judy have lived in Oakton, VA; Aiken, SC; and, more recently, in Durham, NC. In addition to his wife Judy, Paul is survived by his sister Ruth Janney and her three children, his brother Patrick Cross and his three children, his brother in law Bruce Beighley and numerous friends and neighbors who were like family.

The Historic George Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 211 Park Ave., SW, Aiken, SC 29801 (803.649.6234), has charge of arrangements.

Expressions of sympathy for the family may be left by visiting www.georgefuneralhomes.com