Robert Cravens

Robert Benjamin "Ben" Cravens, 81, died of a heart attack at Summit Medical Center in Hermitage, Tenn., on May 25, 2014. He was a native of Louisville, Ky. The youngest of five children, Robert was born on Jan. 25, 1933, to Mabel Burlington Cravens and John Cravens. Growing up in the "Old Louisville" section of the city, he was Ben to all who knew him. He loved sports, played basketball and football in high school, and enjoyed science and history as well. During the Korean War, Ben joined the U.S. Army at age 19, becoming a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. While in his countrys service, he achieved the rank of Master Sergeant, serving with distinction and earning several metals. In 1956, he received an Honorable Discharge. Ben met his wife, Emma Jean Miller, in Louisville and they were married in 1956. He attended the University of Louisville, earning a bachelor of science in Commerce. Soon he entered the field of pharmaceutical and laboratory sales, working for companies like Colgate, Johnson & Johnson, Ortho Diagnostics, LABSCO and Infolab. He also served as the national sales manager for the diagnostic division at Roche. Ben and his wife Jean raised four children and, as a result of his successful career, resided in several different cities, including Louisville, Ky., Omaha, Neb., Columbia, Md., Montclair, N.J., Evansville, Ind., and Ringgold. During this time, he made many lifelong friends. He loved what he did for a living. His favorite motto was, "If you aint getting what you want, you aint asking for it!" Ben had an exceptional sense of humor and was loved by all who knew him. He always had a witty way of expressing himself in every situation. One of his colleagues kept a notebook entitled "Cravenisms." Ben always treated his friends and colleagues as part of the family. "You do for family," as he used to say. In his later years, after Jeans death in 1992, he remained active, continuing his career as a business consultant. He joined the First Baptist Church in Fort Oglethorpe, and particularly enjoyed his Sunday School classes and Biblical history. Those who knew Ben best will remember him as a generous man who always had a kind word, a hearty laugh, and a "human interest story" for everyone. He was a great patriot who often spoke fondly of his days as a paratrooper in the Army. "Thank you for your service, Ben!" He always loved it when the ladies said that. Ben is survived by his daughters, Cynthia Todd, of Amarillo, Texas, Pamela Cravens, of New York City, N.Y., Donna Cravens, of Nashville; and five grandchildren, as well as Pams partner, John and Donnas spouse, Stephanie. He was predeceased by his wife, Emma Jean Cravens, his son, Kenneth Ellis, of Louisville, Ky.; and siblings, Rosemary Kendrick, of Cincinnati, Ohio, Frank Cravens, of Louisville, Miriam Stacy, of Louisville, and John "Bo" Cravens of Del City, Okla. A memorial service will be held in Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., at 11 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, at the First Baptist Church. A memorial and graveside military service will be held in Louisville, Ky., at noon on Saturday, Aug. 23, at Cave Hill Cemetery. Memorial arrangements have been made by New Generation Funeral Home in Antioch, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Master Sergeant Robert Benjamin Cravens name to the Wounded Warrior Project (www.woundedwarriorproject.org). New Generation Funeral Home, 615-365-7105. newgenerationfh.com.