Walter Cravens

Walter Ronald Cravens (“Ron”) (”Brother”) (“Neighbor”), 80, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away peacefully surrounded by family in his home June 10, 2023. He was born in Fisk, Missouri to Vivian Juanita Brothers Cravens and Joseph Walter Cravens Nov. 11, 1942.

After graduating high school, Ron served in the National Guard as a Demolition Specialist. His construction career took him all over the world, including the Cayman Islands, Australia, Saudi Arabia and the Virgin Islands. Ron held degrees in plumbing, electrical, machinery, mechanics, and welding. He was a hard worker that could outwork those half his age. He was always ready to help anyone in need and his abundant knowledge of the trades made helping others easy. Ron was an active member of the Green Forrest Church of Christ.

Ron enjoyed making others laugh and had nicknames for many of his family members and friends. He was both the life of the party and a man of few words when deep in his thoughts. He was a problem solver with an inquisitive mind, never stopping until he found a solution. Ron had a passion for flying like his father, even building his own planes. He was creative, artistic, and had a love for animals and the outdoors. Ron took pleasure in the simple things in life – tinkering in the workshop, a day’s work on the family farm, restoring a long-forgotten scrap into a treasure, the transformation of an idea into a reality.

He is survived by his wife of 31 years, Marilyn (McKuin) Cravens and four children: Ron Cravens Jr. of San Antonio, Texas; Terri Cravens Killingsworth of Childersburg, Alabama; Rana Cravens of the U.S. Virgin Islands; and Joe (Afton) Cravens of Republic, Missouri. He had four grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. His siblings are Debbie Cravens Vernon, Vivian Cravens Ault, and Dodson (Carolyn) Cravens. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother Joseph William “Peck” Cravens.

Services will be held at White-Sanders Funeral Home in Fisk, Missouri. Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday, June 13, 2023, The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 14, 2023. A military honors burial will follow at Ash Hill Cemetery.