Stephen (Steve) Herald Craven passed away on March 17, after fighting a long battle with Parkinsons disease. Steve was born on October 29, 1942, in Oklahoma City Oklahoma to William H. Craven and his wife Gladys Mae Jones (Craven). Steve grew up amidst his mother’s extended family including his grandmother and aunts. These women helped shape him into the kind-hearted and humble teddy bear of a man so many people knew and loved. He attended Harding High School where he played football and later became President of the school alumni association. Following graduation, he attended University of Oklahoma where he studied business and history, and was a member of the Phi Delta Theta fraternity.

He met his wife Mary Beth (Elizabeth) Adams, a social worker, on a blind date through friends. Steve proposed six weeks later, and she eventually said (yes) at an Ike and Tina Turner concert. They were married on November 12, 1966. His work as an account executive for over 30 years at Brown Shoe Company took the couple and their two young daughters, Courtney and Sara, to various homes across the country, including Kansas City, New Orleans and Denver. Eventually the couple retired in Guthrie, Okla., moving into Mary Beth’s family home. Steve worked on his brother-in-law’s Longhorn ranch there for several years. The couple loved to travel, cook, and throw parties, making friends wherever they lived. One of the family’s favorite memories is Steve coming home from Mardi Gras wearing a white bunny suit. At 6 foot 4 inches, he was larger than life just like his big heart. He loved his cars, including several Cadillacs and a Triumph convertible, his boat, their farm in the Ozarks, Las Vegas, and their many rescue mutts: Cowboy, Shadow, Cinnamon and Cornelius, and could always be counted on to have a Chapstick and a hankie.

Family was very important to Steve, including his younger sister Nan, and two grandchildren who lovingly called him “Bapaw.” OU football remained one of his true passions and included season tickets and tailgates for many years. Eventually he and Mary Beth became Dallas Cowboy fans after moving there to be closer to their younger daughter Sara who took loving care of them and adopted their dogs. All who knew Steve will remember his laugh, loving spirit, loyalty, humility, and droll sense of humor.

Stephen is survived by Mary Beth, his beautiful wife of 56 years, his two daughters, Sara Craven of Dallas; Courtney (Craven) Schrieve and her husband Garin, Olympia, WA; his grandchildren Hal and Anna Schrieve; his sister Carla Nan Sweetman, her husband Mick, and nieces Carla Kenney and Kirsten Handler; his good friend and brother-in-law Buck Adams and his wife Sharon; his nephew Chad Adams; as well as his three surviving cousins, Frank Jones, David Waldrop and Jean Martindale, and several great nieces and nephews. This rock and family man will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. The family is so grateful to his many caregivers that were a part of his life over the last few years. He will be greatly missed. Donations can be made in his name to the Parkinsons Voice Project in Richardson, TX. https://parkinsonvoiceproject.org/donate.

https://www.oklahoman.com/obituaries/pokl0475090