Roger Wayne Cravens

We are so grateful that he had time to be with each of his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren during his last days.

Roger was a strong man of quiet determination (some called him stubborn) with a precious sense of humor and unselfish love. But to receive a compliment from him was rare; and when he gave you one, it was worth cherishing. Out of the blue one day, he walked into the kitchen and said to his wife, Holly: "You are the best thing that ever happened to me." She asked him to repeat it, again and again and again; and to her joy, he did. He was a very patient man.

Roger was born at home in Tulsa, Oklahoma, on January 9, 1927, to his mom and dad, Frieda and Jesse Cravens, and welcomed by his big sister, Marian. They all pre-deceased him, along with Marian's husband, Keith (Red) Graham and their son, Pat. He is survived by the remaining Graham siblings and their families in Oklahoma.

At 18, he joined the Army and served two years in Japan before returning home and attending The University of Tulsa where he received his Bachelor's Degree in Accounting.

Upon graduation, he joined Gulf Oil in 1950 in Hobbs, New Mexico, progressing in his career and moving many times before finally returning to Houston and retiring with Holly to Pecan Grove in Richmond, Texas, in 1985. He loved the home they built on the golf course, although he had long given up golfing.

As one of The Greatest Generation, he had a strong work ethic and innate desire to help others. So, full retirement was delayed when he joined Holly in residential real estate. He sold new homes in Greatwood and subsequently became a very successful buyer's agent in Fort Bend and surrounding areas near and far from The Woodlands to League City. His clients trusted him and he served them well with his market and financial knowledge and respectful, gentle ways.

He was devoted to his children and was filled with love for his first-born daughter, Susan Cravens Kirkpatrick Bayne. Susan loved her dad and was faithful in calling him every week to tell him so, check on him, and encourage him; she came home to visit him every chance she got. Susan and her husband, Scott, live in Lee's Summit, Missouri, and their combined families increased Roger's joy. He deeply loved his grandchildren, their spouses, and his great grandchildren: Grandson Danny Kirkpatrick (wife, Sarah) and Great Grandchildren Chloe, Kylie, Cadyn, Landon, Ashlyn, and Gavin of Richmond, Texas. Granddaughter Jamie Kirkpatrick Miranda (husband, Michael) and Great Grandsons Kane, Bryce, and Tyler of Katy, Texas. Granddaughter Melanie Morgan (Bayne) and Great Grandson RJ Robinson of Cypress, Texas. Granddaughter Krista Bayne Meyers (husband, Ben) and Great Grandchildren Natalie and Nathan of Chesapeake, Virginia. Danny and Jamie's dad, Ron Kirkpatrick, loved and was loved by Roger; he left us too soon in 2001.

His second daughter, Charlotte Cravens Petzold, was born in California and captivated his heart. Charlotte and her daddy had a very special relationship; she loved him and always treated him to a strawberry shake. Together, they trained her award-winning quarterhorse, Ginger, and what a time that was! Charlotte now lives in Fulshear, Texas, and blessed him with Grandson Blake Matthew Petzold (Houston), Grandson Brett Austin Petzold (Fort Worth), and Granddaughter Brooke Ashley Petzold (Fort Worth); Roger loved them dearly. Rog and their dad, Brian Petzold, remained close and had a mutual admiration and love for each other. Brian and his wife, Stephanie, live in Pecan Grove.

Roger's ex-wife and mother of his children, Carolyn Frame Cravens, pre-deceased him, as did Carolyn's sister, Betty Lou Ferguson, and her husband, Austin. Rog is survived by their son (his nephew), Michael Ferguson, and wife, Carol.

Roger loved Holly's Louisiana family and they loved him. Left to remember him are: Janet Cahanin (sister), Joshua Cahanin (nephew), Andrew Cahanin (nephew) and his family, Britt Lindsey Davies (niece) and her family, and Jay Lindsey (brother) and his family. Sadly, Hollis Lindsey (Holly's daddy), Curtis Lindsey (brother), Ronnie Cahanin (brother-in-law), and Lindsey Cahanin (nephew) went before him.

Roger will be forever loved and missed by his wife, Holly (aka, Hollis) Lindsey Cravens. When they met at Gulf Oil, it was an instant connection and they became devoted to one another for 45 years. They laughed, cried, and danced together; pulled tricks on one another; stayed past closing at their favorite restaurants; prayed together, celebrated together; cruised The Caribbean, enjoyed paradise in Ecuador and San Juan, snorkeled in Cancun, crossed the ocean to Thailand and China; sailed, climbed pyramids, went hot-air ballooning and white-water rafting; camped under the stars, danced by the moonlight; went to plays, theaters, symphonies, pageants, and to live jazz and country-western concerts; relaxed to classical music; cheered for their greats and grands at baseball, soccer, football, and took every opportunity to be with them. Roger and Holly created a warm, welcoming home and were guests and hosts of some of the best times with family and friends. Together. they shared all the highs and lows and were so blessed to be together through it all. It was a wonderful life, and even more memories continue to fill Holly with peace and tears now that he is gone.

Roger loved flowers; your gift of them at his service would brighten the day. If you want to honor him otherwise, share flowers with others or give hope by donating to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, (stjude.org/donate; 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105).

The Celebration of Roger is Monday, June 21, 2021, at 10:00 a.m., in The Chapel at Forest Park, 12800 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77077, with Pastor Karen Rao (The Lighthouse, Fort Bend) officiating, followed by goodbyes at the Committal Service, and Reception at the home of the Mirandas in Katy.

"With long life I will satisfy him, and show him my salvation." Psalms 91:16