JAMES FRANKLIN CRAVENS
January 30, 1934 - June 10, 2022
James Franklin Cravens (Jim), age 88, of Houston, Texas passed away peacefully on June 10, 2022 with his loving wife and family by his side. Jim was born January 30, 1934 in Corsicana, Texas, the son of Audie Ray and Ruby Curry Cravens. He was the youngest of five children.
After graduation from Corsicana High School in 1952, Jim attended the University of Houston on a football scholarship and later joined the ROTC. In April of 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, JoAnne McAfee, a loving marriage lasting 69 years. Jim graduated from the University of Houston in January of 1957 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology and began working in Houston at Continental
Oil Company (Conoco) as a Geophysicist. In March of 1957, he left for Fort Lee in Petersburg, Virginia, where he served 6 months in the Army. After serving his active duty, he returned to Conoco and promptly moved to Cotulla, Texas.
Cotulla was the first of 23 cities and 9 states where he worked and lived with his growing family during his 20 years with Conoco. In January of 1975, he was transferred from Lafayette, Louisiana to Houston, where he would reside for the next 47 years. After Conoco, he worked for Houston Oil & Minerals, Tenneco and various other companies as a consultant until his retirement. Jim and JoAnne made many lifelong friends during his years working in oil and gas exploration.
Jim spent well over half his life giving back to the communities in which he lived through volunteering. In Lafayette, he volunteered as an Auxiliary Deputy Sheriff. After moving to Houston in 1975, he found a new calling continuing his community service as a volunteer with the Harris County Emergency Corp., which subsequently became Cypress Creek Emergency Medical Services (CCEMS). He obtained his EMS license and later became a certified Paramedic. Jim typically worked the night shift, but would pick up day shifts on Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays to relieve younger fulltime EMTs so they could spend time with their new families. He undoubtedly saved many lives over the years and was especially proud of having delivered 8 babies.
His commitment to CCEMS and dedication to serve the communities of North Harris County lasted 45 years.
Jim had a lifelong passion for the outdoors. He loved going on hunting trips and especially enjoyed hunting with his sons and grandchildren. Whenever he had a chance, Jim would escape to east Texas to a place he affectionately referred to as “the farm”. His time was spent tending to cattle, fixing fences, cutting hay, riding his beloved horse Harry and his four-wheeler, and sitting on the porch in his rocking chair when the day was done. Many good times and memories were made at the farm over the years.
Perhaps his greatest accomplishment in life was his love, devotion and dedication to his wife, JoAnne, a relationship that spanned more than 70 years. He cherished her. They loved traveling and took many vacations over the years, including cruises, trips to Europe, and trips with their lifelong friends to various destinations across the continental United States. JoAnne was equally devoted to Jim. When his health began to fail in the final years of his life, she always put his needs before her own, taking remarkable care of him to the very end.
Jim was immensely loyal, honest, tough and traditional. When faced by challenges, he never waivered from his core principles. He was a good man and will be dearly missed by his wife, children, family and friends.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Charles Cravens; his three sisters, Dorothy Wagoner, Margie Cravens Jenkins and Audie Williams; and his son, Douglas Keith Cravens. He is survived by his loving wife, JoAnne; his children, James F. Cravens, Jr. (Lisa), Kenneth A. Cravens (Janice), Carol Cravens Childre, and Brian E. Cravens (Stacie); 10 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren.
Services will be held on Wednesday June 15, 2022 at Klein Funeral Home – Champions, 16131 Champion Forest Dr. Klein, Texas 77379. Visitation will be from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. prior to the service. Funeral service will begin at 10:00 a.m. with burial immediately following at Klein Memorial Park, FM 2920. Please visit www. kleinfh.com/obituary/jamescravens for details and to share memories and condolences.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in his memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at stjude. org.