James Marnen Craven's Obituary
James Marnen Craven, 91, passed away December 1, 2014. He was born January 31, 1923 in Memphis, TN. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Dorothy Fallo Craven; children Nancy Pierce (Bob), Michael Craven, Ginger Jordan (Don); 10 grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his daughter Betty Craven Hayes, brother Ed Craven, sister Mary Virginia Craven Mount, and parents James and Sarah Carlin Craven.Jim was a member of the Christian Brother High School Class of 1940. He graduated from Christian Brothers College and earned his J.D. degree from Vanderbilt University Law School. He was a B-17 navigator in World War II. While flying a mission over Germany, his plane was shot down and he was a POW. After 30 years of service he retired as a Lt. Colonel from the U.S. Air Force Reserve.He served Memphians as an independent insurance agent for almost 60 years. He began his career with Marx & Bensdorf. He eventually owned his owned his own agency, serving as President of Craven & Scharff Insurance. Jim was a MIFA volunteer delivering meals on wheels for over 25 years. He was a member of the Serra Club. He was inducted into the CBHS Hall of Fame in 1987 and served on the CBHS Alumnae Association Board of Directors. A founding member of St. Louis Parish Jim was a Hospitality Minister and Eucharistic Minister.Visitation will be Wednesday, December 3, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Memorial Park, followed by the Rosary at 7:00. Funeral Mass will be Thursday, December 4, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Louis Catholic Church. Memorials may be sent to the Betty Craven Hayes Scholarship at St. Louis School or to the charity of the donor’s choice.
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