Allen Craven

CHAFFEE, Mo. -- Allen B. "Al" Craven, 73, of Virginia Beach, Va., died Wednesday, March 3, 2004.

He was born Feb. 5, 1931, at Chaffee, son of John and Leafy Bagby Craven.

Craven was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1948 to 1952, and in the U.S. Navy from 1960 until retiring in 1976 as commander.

He did his doctoral thesis on the military family and founded Navy Family Services. He was a former president of the Virginia Chapter of American Association Sex Educators, Counselors and Family Therapists. He also served with the Maryview Hospital Employee Assistance Program.

Craven and his wife, Pat, conducted a pre-marriage clinic for the Navy. He served as chaplain of the 3rd Virginia Regiment.

Survivors include his wife; a son, Daniel Craven; two granddaughters; and a great-grandchild.

Friends may call today at Kellum Funeral Home in Virginia Beach from 2 to 4 p.m. and also from 6 to 8 p.m.

A service of remembrance will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday at Freemason Baptist Church in Norfolk, Va. The Revs. Stephen Jolly and Wayne Blythe will officiate. Burial will be in Rosewood Memorial Park in Virginia Beach, with full military honors.

Announcement courtesy of Amick-Burnett Funeral Chapel in Chaffee.