[2] Cross participated in many civic activities and provided leadership in several organizations, including citizen groups on housing, schools, and police-community relations.

[3][4] He was one of the first commissioners of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, but in 1965, Cross declined a reappointment request by Governor George W. Romney because of the pressing business conditions at American Motors Corporation (AMC).

"[7] Cross was a founder and chairman of the Hundred Club of Detroit, whose purpose was to help provide for the widows and dependents of police officers and firefighters who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Cross was confident in late 1964, during the launch of more powerful and luxurious 1965 models, that the company had sufficient volume "to stay anchored in this market" and continue to grow.

[15] He pointed out that AMC could now "buy raw materials and components as cheaply as our competitors ... and conduct the national advertising and sales efforts necessary to compete.

"[15] However, Cross acknowledged limits because AMC's resources are much smaller than those of its competitors explaining “Our product philosophy doesn’t envision our being the style leader ... Public tastes have been fickle, and we can’t afford to be stuck with any multimillion-dollar mistakes.

"[15] However, AMC's total national automobile market share declined from just over 5% to a "meager 3.71 percent ... the future of the smallest American car manufacturers looked bleak.

[16] By spring, the automotive press and stockholders were concerned about the future of the firm and held Cross as Chairman of the Board "on the firing line" and also felt that others in AMC's management team "were out of touch with the car market.

[17] The automaker even contacted the U.S. Department of Justice about possible antitrust law implications with possible deals with firms that included Chrysler, Kaiser-Jeep, International Harvester, White Motor, BorgWarner, General Electric, as well as Sears, Roebuck.