Jacob Wesley (Jake) Craven was born December 3, 1915 to Cora and Jake A. Craven in Valley View, Texas. He graduated from Denton High School and attended Texas State Teachers College, now The University of North Texas, from 1933 to 1935. While working for Burr Department Stores in El Reno, Oklahoma, he met and married Mabel Nabors after a short courtship. Mabel preceded Jake in death on April 18, 2001. After their marriage, he and Mabel soon moved to Big Spring, Texas and shortly thereafter a decision was made to return to Denton. In March of 1940, a small space just off the square on East Oak St. was rented and with a small stock of Dickie work clothes and a lettering machine, Denton Uniform Shop was off and running. With the beginning of World War II, Jake served in the Army as a mess sergeant and Mabel ran the business. After the war, Jake returned home and immediately started adding more stock to the store. Soon they had outgrown the 20 X 40- foot space and moved to a larger location. Fifteen years later, the name was changed to Craven's Dry Goods and moved to a 50 foot wide building on East Hickory. The store continued to grow, and in 1974 First State Bank purchased the building and Craven's moved to 101 West Hickory. The store was closed in March 1990 50 years after its beginning. Mabel and Jake had 62 years of working together, building a business, rearing a family, and contributing to the community of Denton. One of the greatest honors ever received by Mabel and Jake was the Otis Fowler Award in 1985. This is the highest award given to a member of the Denton community for their service to the city. Jake would want to be remembered for his love of people and serving his community through his business and his many civic achievements. He served on the board of directors at First Sate Bank and at Denton Good Samaritan Village for many years. He was recently honored by the Denton Kiwanis Club for fifty-eight years of membership and service to the community of Denton. He was also very active in The American Legion serving as their treasurer. As an active lifelong member of First United Methodist Church and the Bungalow Class, he served on the board of directors, as a greeter and after retirement as a member of the Over-The-Hill-Gang. He was also a member of The Denton Chamber of Commerce. Jake valued his family and loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family members include his son and wife Dick and Virginia Craven of Denton, his daughter and husband Lynn and Ed Bacon of Spring, Texas, Sister Louise Brooks and companion Warren Whitson of Denton, sister-in-law Maxine Dean of Oklahoma City, and his special friend and companion, Reta Hardesty of Denton. His grandchildren and great grandchildren include Allyson and Mike Marshall and their children, Luke, Max, and Jack of Austin, Texas, Kristin and Brendon Trautman of Portland, Oregon, Jake K. and Kathleen Craven and their son, Jacob T. of Denton, and Holly and Michael Dennis and their daughter, Kennedy of Nacogdoches, Texas. Nieces and nephews include Pat Hill of Montpelier, Vermont, John Brooks and wife Diane and their daughters Rachel and Julia of Dallas, and Susan DeLoren of San Antonio. Jake was preceded in death by his sister, Avis Greenup, brothers-in-law, John Brooks, Harold Greenup, Dee Smith and Elmer Dean, and his nephew, Michael DeLoren. Memorials may be made to Ann's Haven Hospice, 216 W. Mulberry, Denton, TX 76201 or Denton Good Samaritan Village 2501 Hinkle Dr., Denton, TX 76201.
A memorial service will be held 2:00 PM Thursday March 30, 2006 at the First United Methodist Church with visitation following. Rev. Jake K. Craven IV, Rev. Michael Dennis and Dr. James Porter will officiate the service. A private interment will preceed the service at Roselawn Memorial Park.