Jay H. Cravens

1921 - 2015

Cravens, Jay H. Of Milwaukee, passed away peacefully at his home at the age of 94 on July 18, 2015 surrounded by his loving family. Jay was born on March 27, 1921 in Bloomfield, Indiana. He graduated from Coe College and following four years with the US Army during WWII he earned two additional degrees in forestry from Colorado State University. Jay was employed for 30 years by the US Forest Service and served in 15 different positions, including Forest Ranger and Forest Supervisor in Arizona, Regional Forester in Wisconsin and Director, Associate Deputy Chief and Acting Chief in Washington, D.C. Jay was assigned to the US State Department's Agency for International Development in Saigon, South Vietnam during the peak war years of 1967-68. As Chief of Forestry he and his team provided services in 44 provinces and training to the forest industry, refugees, the Vietnamese Forest Service and Saigon University's School of Forestry. He investigated and helped identify the adverse economic and environmental impacts of the herbicide Agent Orange, the bombing and the burning of the forests of South Vietnam. In 1976 Jay retired from the US Forest Service and spent the next 11 years as a Professor of Forestry & Resource Management at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. During that period he taught, advised and influenced over 6,000 students. He led student groups on study trips to Mexico, Nicaragua, Guatemala, Great Britain, Germany and Spain. Over his career Cravens became familiar with forest management practices and people's needs in some 40 countries. He retired in 1987 as Professor Emeritus. Jay served Wisconsin as Chairman of the Governor's Council on Forest Productivity and was a member of the Michigan-Wisconsin Timber Producers Association Board of Directors. Jay's third career was with the forestry consulting firm of George Banzhaf & Company of Milwaukee where he provided input to Company projects involving land use planning, forest management, marketing, urban forestry and appraisals. Jay became a member of the Society of American Foresters in 1949, was elected Fellow in 1984 and President in 1989. He received numerous awards for his services to professional forestry. His autobiography A Well Worn Path was published in 1993. Jay is survived by his wife of 69 years, Gwen, daughters, Melissa Serfling and Lucinda "Cindy" Weston, grandchildren, Ethan Serfling, Delaney Serfling, Mackenzie Serfling, Matthew (Jennifer) Weston, Benjamin (Michelle) Weston and Elizabeth Weston, and 3 great-granddaughters, Arielle, Amelia and Alice Weston as well as other relatives and friends. The family will greet friends at the Feerick Funeral Home on Thursday, July 23 from 4:00 PM until 5:30 PM, with a service celebrating Jay's life held at 5:30 PM. A reception at the funeral home will follow the service. Burial will be in Clinton, MN. Contributions in Jay's name may be made to the Milwaukee Rescue Mission, 830 N 19th St, Milwaukee, WI 53233. The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to Jay's wonderful and faithful caregivers, Katrina, Brad, Jessica, Clair, Minerva, Eli, Katelynne, Shannon, and John.