Larry Leonard Craven, 72, passed away unexpectedly on March 22, 2019. The day God called him home, Larry enjoyed a fishing trip on the Columbia River with his friend Dale, and though they did not catch anything, he was one who believed even a bad day fishing was still a good day.
Larry was born February 26, 1947 in Portland, OR to Dorothy Mae and Earl L. Craven. He spent most of his upbringing in the Midwest living in Kansas, Indiana, and Iowa. The family returned to Oregon when Larry was a teen. He graduated from Newberg High School in 1965. He continued his education at George Fox University where his competitive nature in four sports later earned his induction into the University Sports Hall of Fame. He was first team All-Oregon Collegiate Conference at linebacker in his
sophomore, junior and senior years leading his team in tackles. He participated also in basketball, baseball, and track and field before he earned his Bachelors of Biology in 1969.
After college, Larry taught and coached at Tillamook High School for a year before turning to selling life insurance. His first job selling employee group insurance at Kaiser Permanente in Portland is where he met Susan, his love of 42 years. They were married in November 1977 under the contingency that she would never get mad if he missed their anniversary for hunting season. She agreed without objection, surely because of how often she has remarked to their children that he was “such a stud!” After leaving Kaiser, Larry became a top performer at Pacific Mutual with recognition for his outstanding and consistent production leading the nation in RPMs in 1980. Moving on to William M Mercer, Larry and his team again were top performers. His entrepreneurial spirit led him to start his own Preferred Provider Organization in 1991, Healthcare Direct, which he sold to First Choice Health of Seattle in 2006. In his retirement, Larry was a dedicated husband, father, grandpa, friend, business partner, philanthropist, and volunteer. Larry continued to build a legacy at George Fox helping facilitate the return of the George Fox football program. He was a proud founding member of the Bruin Football Club. To him students participation in competitive sports was a critical component in learning life skills and preparing young men and women to face the challenges of life after earning their degrees. An avid fisherman, he was an active participant with the Coastal Conservation Association – Mt. Hood Chapter. He served on the CCA governmental steering
committee for legislation to stop gillnetters and preserve fish runs for all fishermen. He partnered with his son Jack’s business, Yaquina Bay Charters, owning a charter boat named the Gracie K, in honor of his first granddaughter. He enjoyed making many lures, flies and spinners that greatly enhanced the fishing experience on the boats. The captains often called and asked for more. He loved to fish and hunt with his sons and daughter and many friends.
He was a doting and devoted grandfather who remarked once that it was his favorite role.
Though Larry had a competitive spirit in sports and business, as he aged he worried less about worldly achievements and in his retirement became more focused on listening to God’s direction. His boundless generosity and optimism was a testament to his belief in the never-ending love and grace of his Savior.
Those who knew Larry well will remember his big smile and deep laugh, his integrity, his generosity, his role as mentor sharing his keen business insight and his strong committment to family and friends. His encouragement and counsel will be greatly missed. And yes the sharing of many, many hunting and fishing stories.
Surviving him are Susan, his sons Jack (Rachel) and Sam (Stephanie), his daughter Lauren, and his four grandchildren Grace, Samuel, Evelyn, and Theodore. He is survived by his brothers Bob (Pat), Richard (Val), Brian, and his sister Judy (Charlie) Friesen and many nieces and nephews.
Family and friends are invited to a Memorial Service at Persimmon Country Club in Gresham, OR on Sunday, April 7 at 11 am.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in memory of Larry to either Mt Hood CCA Chapter - PO Box 55608 Portland OR 97238 or to George Fox University Bruin Football Club -414 N Meridian St # 6256 Newberg, OR 97132-2697
