Robert Wayne Craven

Robert W. (Wayne) Craven, 90, of Nowata, OK died Friday evening July 28, 2023, at the Oklahoma Veterans Center in Claremore, OK.

Wayne was born April 24, 1933, in Alluwe, OK, to Theodore Robert and Vivian (Clingan) Craven.  He graduated from Delaware High School in 1951. He was drafted into the US Army in 1955 and served 19 months of his service in Germany before being honorably discharged in 1957. He and Sandra have been married almost 64 years.  They raised two boys, Bob and David, losing Bob in 2011.  In the early years, they enjoyed square dancing and belonged to a club in Nowata.  Wayne was the baseball coach for both of his boys for many years.

Wayne worked at Parkersburg Rig and Reel in Coffeyville, KS for about 10 years and then he went to work in Bartlesville, OK where he worked for Phillips Petroleum company in the Print Shop for 30 years before retiring in 1992.

Wayne was an avid Sooner fan.  He was a bowler for more than 20 years belonging to teams in Nowata and later in Bartlesville.  He went with his teams and bowled in tournaments in Springfield for many years.  His highest game was 298.  He always loved cars.  He raced stockcars briefly but truly enjoyed building his own.  He built several street rods which they drove and enjoyed for over 30 years.

Survivors include his wife, Sandra, of the home in Nowata, one son, David and his wife Marla of Oologah, OK, one daughter-in-law, Lydia Craven of Buda, TX, one sister, Joyce Hawk of Broken Arrow, OK, four grandchildren, Cynthia Taylor and husband, Will, of Leander, TX, Jennifer Edwards and husband, Brock of SC, Haylie Sorvig and husband, Matt of Yukon, OK and Matthew Craven of Buda, Texas along with six great grandchildren and many friends.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, August 4, 2023, at 11:00 AM at the First Presbyterian Church with Kevin Holdredge officiating.  Services are under the direction of Benjamin Funeral Service.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 3, 2023, at Benjamin Funeral Home from 6:00-8:00 PM and the family will receive friends at that time.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Wayne’s name to the Nowata City-County Library, P. O. Box 738, Nowata, OK 74048 or to the Alzheimer’s Association.