Charles "Baldy" Elbert Craven

Charles "Baldy" Elbert Craven passed away peacefully on Wednesday March 7, 2018 at his home in Strathmore, CA. Charles was born March 13, 1928 in Strathmore, CA. Baldy's family moved to the Lindsay-strathmore area prior to his birth from the Griggsville, IL area.

Charles graduated from Strathmore High School with the class of 1946, immediately joined the Army and served in Japan. He married Betty M. Craven on July 26, 1952 in Carson City NV. He and Betty raised a son and daughter.

Charles graduated from the first Psychiatric Technician class at Porterville State Hospital and worked for the State of California for about 25 years. He also worked as an owner-operator for various trucking companies for several years. He retired from Porterville Developmental Center in 1982 to Strathmore.

Charles enjoyed the outdoors including camping, hunting, trail biking and playing softball. He was a packer at Sequoia National Park taking supplies in to the trail crews in the late forties. He thoroughly enjoyed being in the mountains.

Charles is survived by his son, Charles "Chuck" E. Craven, Jr. and his wife Carolee; his daughter Elizabeth "Katie" Kay Waggoner and her husband Larry; 7 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren and 1 great great granddaughter.

Charles was preceded in passing by his wife, Betty Craven, his parents, Vern and Eva Craven, his sister Emma Hunt, his brother Lloyd Craven and many other relatives.