Harley Craven, 85, died Friday Nov 6, 2015 at Martha Jo Leslie Veterans Home in Kosciusko.
Services will be held on Wednesday November 11, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. at Newton United Methodist Church with burial at the Masonic Cemetery in Newton, MS. Visitation will begin at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Gary Howse and Rev. Rebecca Smith will officiate.
Newton County Funeral Home is in charge of the services.

Harley graduated from Newton High in 1949 where he quarterbacked the Tiger Football Team.
Rather than further his football career at East Central he began his working life with the
State Highway Department only briefly, before enlisting in the military with his friends to fight in Korea.

Harley became an Elite Paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne, Fort Bragg, N.C. as a Field Medic
assigned to the 714 Tank Battalion. He quickly rose to Instructor, Master Sergeant, and after
additional Medic training at Fort Sam Houston was assigned to Walter Reed.
After his Honorable Discharge he returned with his wife and new son to embark on a 35 year career with the Miss. Power Company starting out on a Tree Trimming Crew, Lineman and eventually management. Riding out and surviving Hurricane Betsy and Camille on the coast, just a couple of memorable experiences. Eventually Harley accepted an early retirement offer at 57, retiring as Area Manager in his Hometown of Newton.

Harley always wanted to be a Cowboy, and in the early 60's he began his Cattleman career, ultimately building a herd of 200 head of cattle into one of the Top Rated Herds in the state before selling out in 1981.
With all the land cleared for pasture, he experimented with several rotation crops before realizing his top soil was migrating south with each season due to erosion. He settled on Tree Farming. Something he proved quite adept at as he received South Central District Tree Farmer of the Year in 1998. Just 9 years later the Mississippi Forestry Assn. again recognized his efforts and named him and his wife Tree Farmers of the Year for 2007 for the entire State.
They went on to represent Mississippi in Portland, Oregon at the National Tree Farmers Convention.

He was all about Enhancing Conserving and Preserving Habitat for future generations.
Seeing the plight of the Honey Bee, he became an avid Honey Bee proponent; managing from 60 to 100 Beehives and helping others get started.
Harley was a member of the Miss. Beekeepers Assn., Miss. Cattlemen's Assn., American Legion, Rotary Club, and Hamasa Shrine. A Sublime Degree of Master Mason in King Solomon Lodge 333 which later became E.J. Knox -King Solomon Lodge 130 where he completed 60 years as a Master Mason in Good Standing. He was also a 60 year member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers #1209.

Harley was preceded in death by his Mother Liller Humphrey Craven and Father Charles Minist Craven, and a Daughter, June Marie.
Harley's 4 Brothers preceded his death, L.C., Raymond, Charles and Elzie.

Survivors include the love of his life of 64 years, Billie Marie, and his Sons, C.W. and Billy Joe. He is also survived by one Sister, Ina Pearl McEvers of California.

Pallbearers will be his Nephews, Jerry Craven, Dr. Bob Craven, Mark Craven, Scott Craven, Robert Craven, and David Craven.

In lieu of flowers, you may wish to contribute to Newton United Methodist Church, a favored charity, or by lending a helping hand to a Veteran, or maybe..., become a Beekeeper!
Conserve, Preserve and Renew Habitat for future generations.