"My family and I wanted to extend or condolences to your family. Jim was our lawyer when mom (Sheryl Ryan) passed away a couple of years ago and he helped us through that difficult time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you."
In loving memory of
Jim Craver
January 8, 2009
James Craver, 65, a resident of Centerville, Iowa passed away Thursday, January 08, 2009 at Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, Iowa.
Jim was born March 28, 1943, the son of Harlan and Alice Jean (Shanks) Craver, in Centerville, Iowa. He graduated from Centerville High School with the Class of 1961. After high school, Jim attended the University of Iowa where he received a bachelor of business administration degree in 1965. Jim went on to attend Drake University Law School where he obtained his J.D. degree in 1968. At Drake University, Jim met Jennifer "Ginger" Cogis. Jim and Ginger were married June 22, 1968 in Gary, Indiana. After law school, Jim moved to Centerville where he practiced law with the Milani Law Firm. In 1988, Jim went into practice on his own, establishing the Craver Law Firm.
Jim was the City Attorney for Centerville for 25 years and served on the Board of Directors of the Mercy Medical Center. He also was a member of the Mercy Medical Legacy Foundation, the Appanoose County Bar Association, and the State Bar of Iowa.
Survivors besides his wife include three sons, Michael (and his wife Kristin) Craver of Dallas, Texas, Marc (and his wife Jamie) Craver of New York, New York, and Matthew (and his wife Amber) Craver of Ladera Ranch, California, and four grandchildren, Noah, Natalie, Noelle, and Cora. Jim is also survived by his Aunt, Virginia Howe, of Scottsdale, Arizona.
Visitation will be held on Monday, January 12, 2009 at the Lange Funeral Home. The family will be present from 6-8 PM. Services will be held Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at the First United Methodist Church in Centerville, Iowa. The services will begin at 10 AM with Pastor Terra Amundson officiating. A private burial will be held at a later date.
Memorials have been established to the Appanoose County Baseball Association, First United Methodist Church, and Friends of the Drake Public Library. Memorial gifts may be left at or mailed to the Lange Funeral Home, 1900 S. 18th St., Centerville, Iowa, 52544. Condolences may be left online at www.thomaslangefuneralhome.com.
Tributes
"Ginger & sons: you don't know me, but I knew Jim a long time ago and we played together a lot as kids = he grew up living right next door to my grandparents (Jordan)on E. Bank St.; and, until 1952 I lived in an apartment on E. State St., on the west side of Mark Kelly, and thus a half block east of Jim's grandparents (Shanks). We of course graduated together from CHS in 1961, but went off to different colleges, and that was about it. May God rest his soul forever. . . MPS "
"We just read of Jim's passing, he was a great man with a great heart. His presence in the Centerville Community will be greatly missed. We have memories of your family at Pucci's Restaurant, and Robbie played baseball with Marc. Our thoughts and prayers are with you. Rob & Shell Starr & family"
"Ginger and family. Martha's earlier was such a fine expession of my thoughts but I feel I must personally add a word or two. I have known Jim ever since he would come to Grandparent's Shanks home on East State, just a block from my parents house. I have seen him as a high school student, basketball player, member of the high school band and from Bowling Green witnessed his active life or read about it in the Iowegian. It was my impression the 'glass was never half empty' with Jim. He had that personality, smile and confidence to make those he conversed with (regardless of subject) feel important. He had just become an invited member of the CHS Distinguished Alumni Committee...he would have been a keen member for his far reaching acquaintence with grads of CHS. I anticipated seeing Jim when we would return to Cville for his humor and our mutual recollection of some 'experiences' we shared when he was a member of the high school band. It was May of 1961 when our high school band's concert at the Iowa Bandmasters Convention in Des Moines could not start until Jim and Newsham arrived from having played in the state finals golf tournament. Jim left deep roots Ginger and I am so grateful I knew him in so many ways for all of those 65 years. Mark Kelly "
"Ginger and family, The Littles go back many, many years with the Cravers. We all grew up together and shared family friendships. Jim was a great guy and was such help to Hank & Loretta with all their legal needs. I remember how nice it was that you and Jim came to my parent's services. Our thoughts are with you and I will always cherish fond memories of Jim. With sympahthy, Steve and Dana Johnson, Tecumseh, Nebraska"
"Dear Ginger, Mike, Marc, and Matt: Both Barb and I want to extend our condolances on Jim's death. Had a lot of fun together in law school and during the years thereafter. Started down to the visitation, but here in western Illinois we were having a blizzard Monday afternoon. Our hearts and prayers are with all of you ........... Bob and Barb Alvine"
"Mrs. Craver, Mike, Marc, and Matt - Your dad always had a smile on his and was very giving of his time to help us kids during which ever sports season it was. I'm not sure if I ever told him how much I appreciated it but it meant a lot then and even more now. I am saddened to hear of his passing and my thoughts go out to your family during this time. Matt"
"I am a friend of Jim's son, Marc. I was saddened to hear of his passing. Please accept my condolences. E. Travis"
"Our deepest sympathy to the Craver families. As a first cousin to Harlan, Ralph & Leo we did share good times in growing up. It was wonderful to see Leo at my 100th birthday party and hear about your families. Our thoughts are with you all. Icil "
"The news of Jim's passing shocked and saddened me deeply. Your family was a very influential part of my life and I appreciate everything you did for me through the years. Jim truly will be missed. Wayland"
"Our heartfelt sysmpathy to Ginger, Mike, Marc and Matt. The long time friendship with Jim & Ginger and the memories of our boys playing together in the neighborhood will always be cherished by our family. We have the utmost respect for Jim as a husband, father and attorney who raised his family in Centerville and gave back to his home town. May God Bless You and May He Keep You in His Care. Marilyn & Dave"
"I was a year behind Jim in school. Our famly moved to Centerville when I was in the eighth grade. One of the first families that we met was the Craver family. Many times I can remember being over at Jim's house playing electric board hockey or over at the Beck house shooting hoop. Jim was a trmendous help to our family at the time that Dad died and Mom went into the nursing home. Jim always had that big grin and "hey how are yea" attitude. I wish the family well and our prayers go out to you all. Denny and Teresa Little"
"Ginger and family, My condolences on your loss. I had the good fortune of working with Jim on a number of community projects in Appanoose County beginning in 1999. While he never mentioned it, I learned through others and by seeing his name on countless project files that Jim had a hand in many, many economic development and community improvement successes in Centerville. I am in awe as to how one person could make such a huge difference in a community and do so with such humility. For every one contribution of Jim's for which the public is familiar, I have seen dozens more on file that succeeded because of his tenacity. Please know that your loss, while deeply personal, is also one that is shared by your community. Jim was a good man. Tracy Daugherty Miller"
"Ginger and family, My condolences on your loss. I had the good fortune of working with Jim on a number of community projects in Appanoose County beginning in 1999. While he never mentioned it, I learned through others and by seeing his name on countless project files that Jim had a hand in many, many economic development and community improvement successes in Centerville. I am in awe as to how one person could make such a huge difference in a community and do so with such humility. For every one contribution of Jim's for which the public is familiar, I have seen dozens more on file that succeeded because of his tenacity. Please know that your loss, while deeply personal, is also one that is shared by your community. Jim was a good man. Tracy Daugherty Miller"
"Ginger and family - We were so sorry to learn of Jim's passing. It only seems like a few years ago that we were at your wedding in Gary! Please know that you are in our prayers and that Jim is now in a better place. Bob and Pat Parks"
"I was a classmate of Jim's at Drake. Very sorry to hear the news. My thoughts and prayers are with you. /John Fletcher"
"Ginger, I'm so sorry to learn of Jim's death. You may recall that I attended law school with him. Susan and I send our sincere condolences and prayers. "
"Ginger, I was saddened to hear of Jim's passing. You may remember I was in Jim's class at Drake. Unfortunately we lost contact when I moved to Denver. Please accept my sincere condolences."
"Dear Craver family, I just read of Jim's passing and wanted you to know that Tony and I are thinking of you at this time. May God bless and comfort you all. Jean Beeler"
"Dear Craver Family, Although I did not know Mr. Craver, I do know Mike. Mr. Craver could have been nothing but a stellar man to have raised such a fine young man as Mike. (Of course, this applies to Mrs. Craver as well.) Mr. Craver was just 1 year older than I am now, so this is a very good reminder that we must live our lives "as if it were our last day". To enjoy, give back, share with the community and never take a single day for granted. Having gone through the death of both of my parents, I know what a difficult time this is for all of you. My sincerest hope is that you can, as the pain eases, keep your happy memories of him and with him close to your hearts. My deepest sympathy, Paulette Hubbard Dallas, TX "
"Craver Family, Our sympathy and prayers are offered to your family at this trying time. Jim was a wonderful person and he will be missed by many in our community. May God Bless You All"
"My thoughts are with the Craver family today. So sorry to read of his passing.. He was a great man and lawyer. When My Mom (Georgia McCullough) passed last year he was there for us and helped us so much. Remember the good fun times. Life will be different but you will carry his memory. take care. Janet McCullough Houser "
"Ginger and Family Davis and I were sorry to hear about Jim. Our sympathy is with you at this trying time."
"The Kelso family was very sad to hear of the passing of Jim on Thursday. He was a great man who touched everyone around him. His charm and selflessness will never be forgotten. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time."
"Ginger, I learned of Jim's death through my father, Mark Kelly, dad and I both agree Jim was too young to leave us. Dad shared with me this memory,"He and Bobby Newsham were euphonium players in CHS band.....what a pair. Kept me on my toes". Dad was smiling when he told me, but also had a tear in his eye. The Craver's have always held a special place in the hearts of the Kelly family. Wonderful memories of the Church gatherings, the lumber yard chats, and the band trips. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Martha (Kelly) Jewell "
"Ginger, I learned of Jim's death through my father, Mark Kelly, dad and I both agree Jim was too young to leave us. Dad shared with me this memory,"He and Bobby Newsham were euphonium players in CHS band.....what a pair. Kept me on my toes". Dad was smiling when he told me, but also had a tear in his eye. The Craver's have always held a special place in the hearts of the Kelly family. Wonderful memories of the Church gatherings, the lumber yard chats, and the band trips. Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, Martha (Kelly) Jewell "
"Please accept our sincere sympathy and prayers, and may your loving memories give you peace. He was such a good long time friend and we'll miss him."
"Ginger & Family We were so sorry to hear about Craver. He thought so much of you, the boys and those wonderful grandchildren. If there is anything that we can do please don't hesitate to call. He was an intelligent, humorous man and we were better for knowing him and being able to call him friend. Our sympathy is with you and your children at this time. Stay strong."