Howard Cravens

Howard "Richie" Cravens, 65, was born Bluejacket at the old Denoyer place on December 28, 1943. His father was Elzia Ervin(Slim) and his mother was Agnes Arrieta Cravens of Bluejacket. Richie was married to Nilus Jean Brown for 35 years they raised three children all who survive: Cindy Speer and husband Jeff of Bluejacket, Richard (Lenny) Cravens and wife Donna of Pryor and Ranel Holland of Branson, MO. Richie lived in Bluejacket all his life and devoted his life to this town. He bought the old store and a couple of years later he bought the gas station called Rich's DX. Richie worked 23 years at B.F. Goodrich in Miami and was a Bluejacket volunteer fireman. He contributed to all the charities and helped in any way he could at sporting events at Bluejacket. He was at every football and basketball game at home to sit on the bottom row and cheer the kids on. Richie played fast pitch softball at Miami with Horton's Grocery for many years as a catcher. The family vacations were traveling to his ball games. When Lenny and Cindy were young he coached girls grade school basketball teams. He went to every state final game in basketball. He loved watching his grandkids play sports and would holler at them, hit that ball, and smile ear to ear when they did. Next to the old store was a recreation center and Richie spent hours playing pitch with his buddies, Gary, Jeff, Frank and those he could talk into beating. When his health started declining you could pull up to his trailer and hear outside either a Cardinal Baseball game or an OU game. To improve the town Richie built a new store with a pool table and booths for everyone to come and have a bite to eat and visit. Richie was the first one in his family to graduate high school and did so in 1961. Richie was preceded in death by and older sister, Jewell Dean Walker, and a brother Elzia Earnest Cravens. He is also survived by 9 grandchildren; Heather, Hali, Erick, Brandon, Nicole, Keaton, Lauren, Brett and LeeAnn. Also 9 great-grand children, Kaytlynn, Peyton, Dayton, Maggie, Dalton, Natalee, Haylee, Ryan, Cash and a hosts of very special nieces and nephews. Richie passed away at his home with his loving family by his side on Sunday, September 13, 2009. Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Wednesday September 16, 2009, in the Bluejacket School Gymnasium with Pastor Onos Hood officiating. Interment will be in the Bluejacket Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Luginbuel Funeral home from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday September 15, 2009 at the Luginbuel Funeral Home in Vinita. Online condolences may be left at honoringmemories.com.

Service Details

Wednesday, September 16th, 2009 2:00pm, Bluejacket Gym

Interment Details