James "Jay" M. Craven Sr.

How much joy Jay Craven gave me when I played violin in the Chattanooga Youth Symphony from 1965 - 1968. He was a memorable leader and also hysterically funny. He also brought great comfort to my mother during several hospital stays. What a delightful, caring, and unforgettable gentleman.

What a class act! Jay hired me for my first teaching job. He was always willing to help and share his talents with teachers and students. The orchestra in heaven just received a great clarinet player. My prayers are with all the Craven family.

Mr. Craven brought immeasurable joy and patience to the classroom. As a summer orchestra student, those qualities are exactly what I needed. All my memories of this great teacher bring a smile to my face. I can only imagine the joy and sweet music he is sharing with others in the presence of our Lord. May you feel God's peace and comfort in the days ahead.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Craven family at this difficult time. Jay hired me for my first teaching job, and I became part of his group of itinerant elementary music teachers that he called his "songbirds". He was my colleague in the Chattanooga Symphony and a mentor to me. I am so thankful for his influence on my career. There is a hole in the music community in Chattanooga, and we will all miss him so much.

Our thoughts are with the Craven family. We're so sad to hear of Jay's passing. Our whole family considered Jay a very special friend, but especially our dad, Jim. The 2 of them played together for so many years, and Dad absolutely loved gigging with Jay. Jim and Noveita both considered Jay and Kathleen dear friends. We extend our deep regrets to Kathleen, Jamie, Resha and their families. Chattanooga will never be quite the same without the music of Jay, and Jim. But how blessed we are to have those melodies forever in our hearts, and living in the hearts of so many people their music touched. I personally will never forget when Mom (Noveita) was in the hospital before she died, and suddenly we heard clarinet music in the hallway. Mom was still alert, but resting - her eyes opened, she smiled big and said "the angels are hear". When I saw it was Jay, I couldn't stop crying. What a blessing that was for him to play for the patients - and for her that day. We were all so touched by that. Love to all of you from Karen (Wilson) & Don Harper. We will remember Jay and his music with much love.

My deepest sympathy to the Craven family. I graduated from Chattanooga High School is 1963. Jay was my orchestra director, choir director and mentor. I chose a career in music due, in no small part, to Jay's influence. His brilliant musicianship and love of teaching transferred to so many students during his time at City High. I will never forget Jay's encouragement, his wonderful sense of humor, and the love of music he imparted to me. He will always be a giant in the world of music to me. Thank you Jay for all you gave to so many.

My thoughts and prayers are with the family in their time of grief. Jay was a man with God given talents of music and love of people. I will always cherish the times I spent teaching with Kathleen at White Oak Ele.where I was the music teacher. She is my dear friend, whom I will always love very much.
Lea Burger Jolley
Chattanooga, Tennessee

Mr. Craven had a program in the 1950's where he introduced elementary children to classical music. It was one of the highlights of the week. Through this program I developed a love for classical music. I am so sorry for your loss.
Martha Jean Rice (Chattanooga)

My deepest sympathy to the Craven family. I knew Mr. Craven from my City High School days.

The Chattanooga High School Alumni Association extends it's deepest sympathy to the Craven family. Jay is a member of the CHS Hall of Fame and along with Dr Jim Henry are the only two selected as a student and faculty member. In 2016 he was recognized as the Alumnus of the year, only the seventh person to be so honored.
RIP Maestro, it was a heck of a show.

Dear Craven Family.
My deepest sympathy to each of you. Rest assured that my dear friend, Jay, is now happy, healthy, healed and whole with The Lord. I will treasure the times we played together and the times he entertained for my family and friends. May God bless each of you, especially Kathleen, during this difficult time.
David Walley, Jr.

We are heartbroken at Jay's passing. His legacy will live in hundreds of hearts for many years to come. He is my friend and mentor. Prayers to Kathleen and family.

I will always have fond memories of Mr. Craven directing us in Senior Choir. He will be sorely missed by everyone.

The Wilson family is mourning the loss of Chattanooga treasure. He will me missed by many. Jay was not only an incredible man but talented beyond measure. I was able to enjoy his talents on many occasion when he played with my father in law, Jim Wilson. One of my fondest memories is when Jay brought incredible comfort to my mother in law, Noveita, in her final days. His music would allow her to be alert and she often asked if she had finally arrived in heaven. He was a dear friend to Jim for many years, particularly after Noveita's passing. He also gave his time and provided a magnificent concert at Jim's memorial service. May peace and comfort come quickly to the Craven family. He was loved by a City and definitely a man among men.

Jay Craven family, the love and prayers of Jane and Don Crane are with you!

Dear Craven Family,
My deepest condolences to you all. Jay has been a life long inspiration to me ever since I was a clarinet student of his and a member of the Chattanooga High School Band and Orchestra and the Chattanooga Youth Orchestra back in 1954-1957. Because of Jay, I went on to major in music at FSU and was an elementary music teacher for 30 years in Tallahassee, FL. I played in the Capital City Community Band for 46 years and still play in the Tallahassee Winds and the Big Bend Community Orchestra which I co-founded because of the love of orchestra music that started when he was my teacher. My last visits with Jay were at the River City Clarinet Winter Festivals in 2012 and 2013 when I had the privilege of playing with him in those clarinet choirs and attending his recital. I am a proud owner of all of his CDs and will cherish them always.
Please know that you are in my thoughts now and always.

I thoughts and prayers are with the Craven family.
I had the honor of meeting Mr.Craven a few times,as Ms.Craven was my Elem.school teacher.He always brought sweet gifts for our class,but I always seen the love between them.We went to a play that one of my classmates was debuting in Helen Keller.He made me feel so comfortable and we talked about my future during intermissions.He seen humor in everything.That was the most memorable moment in my childhood.
Xoxo

Dear Craven Family,
I wanted to send my thoughts, love and prayers to all of you today. I'm sorry we can not be with you at this time. My heart was filled w/ sadness to hear of his passing, but also joyous to know he is playing his clarinet on the streets of gold in heaven. I have such cherished memories of Jay and your family growing up at Westminster. I will always remember how much fun the made children's choir, his smile and funny laugh. I think he is the reason why so many hymns are important to me and I appreciate how he shared his love of music and life with all of us.
With Love and Prayers,
LeaAnn Shipp & Roger Carr

Jay Craven changed my life. I was a member of the last class to graduate from the old City High in '63. Mr. Craven somehow detected talents in me that I had no clue existed. He plucked me off the wall, gave me responsibilities, and encouraged me to bloom. He was present at our 50th reunion in 2013, and told me he still had a thank you note I wrote him in '63, thanking him for changing my life! I do not remember writing that note, but perhaps I changed his life, too, if that note meant enough for him to keep it 50 years. Yes, our choir and orchestra were top-notch, giving me a rich basis for eventually becoming a music teacher, but Jay Craven's lasting gift was that of teaching me the importance of not just teaching music, but teaching the child. My deepest sympathies to his family on your profound loss of this giant.

May God's loving kindness and comfort help you and your family through this very sad time Psalms 29:11