Gerald Cravey

Gerald T. Cravey, 86, died Thursday, November 17, 2005. Born in the longleaf pine woods of Tift Co, GA, Oct. 10, 1919, to Johnie Jackson and Leona Foster LeSueur Cravey, Gerald’s life was a journey of ever-widening horizons.

In 1938, he enlisted in the US Coast Artillery and was posted to Panama, which sparked his life-long interest in languages and cultures. On the eve of WWII, he re-enlisted in the US Air Corps where he served as Chief Radio Operator for HQ, 20th Bomber Command (Hijli, India). His next assignment was Radio Station Chief for the Air Transport Command, Myitkyina, Burma. On Aug. 10, 1945, Gerald copied the final transmissions of Radio Tokyo describing the destruction of Hiroshima. The Library of Congress digitized an account of his military experience as part of the Veteran’s History Project (www.loc.gov/folklife/vets).

The GI Bill enabled Gerald to graduate from University of Illinois as a mechanical engineer. His career included a position as physical plant superintendent at Eastern Illinois University. He retired from the Indiana State Board of Health. Gov Otis Bowen appointed Gerald to serve on the Administrative Building Council and the State Plumbing Commission. His ethical principles earned him the respect of his peers.

Curiosity and a love of learning characterized Gerald’s life. He truly enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life. There was nothing he couldn’t build or repair. His enthusiasm for all kinds of music began as a child playing in his family’s string band for square dances in rural southwest Georgia. He loved the outdoors and could point out stars and planets, find arrowheads and mushrooms, and call quail right up to his feet. He grew big crops of okra, greens, eggplant and tomatoes, and he shared generously. He was a member of F&AM Sycamore Lodge #210 for over 50 years; Scottish Rite, Northern Jurisdiction; China-Burma-India Veterans Assoc. and Pi Tau Sigma engineering honorary.

He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Margaret McCarter Cravey, daughters Georgia Ann (Indianapolis, IN,) and Altha Jane (Chapel Hill, NC), and a sister, Valeria Smith (Inaha, GA).

The family will receive friends Monday evening from 7 till 8 at Perry Funeral Chapel in Ashburn, GA. Graveside funeral services will be 2:00 PM, Tuesday, November 22, 2005 in the Inaha Baptist Church Cemetery, Turner Co., GA.