John Earl Caraway

1927 - 2025

John Earl Caraway
11/05/1927 - 08/01/2025
John Earl Caraway (Earl) passed away on August 1, 2025, in Midland, Texas. He was 97 years young.
Earl was born on November 5, 1927, to Leonard Delost Caraway and Lucy Woods Caraway in Homer, Louisiana. He was one of seven children. When he was a very young boy, the family moved to McAllen, Texas, and later settled in McAlister, Oklahoma. At age 17, Earl joined the Navy and served on the USS Wantuck.
He met Charlotte Kirk in September 1949, and they married four months later at her parents' home in Oklahoma City. They were together for over 75 years.
In 1957, Earl and Charlotte moved to Midland, Texas, with their two young sons and a daughter on the way. Earl worked as a TV repairman for many years, in the days when televisions were not quickly discarded. He was a rock-and-roll enthusiast and had an extensive music collection, especially fond of Mark Knopfler and J.J. Cale. In his lifetime, he read thousands of books, particularly enjoying mysteries, science fiction, and westerns.
Earl and Charlotte traveled on several cruises, attended many concerts, and enjoyed numerous adventures throughout the years. He loved water skiing and continued the sport until age 75. Earl also delighted in the occasional cliff dive on the rare occasions when Lake Spence had enough water-many years ago.
Earl was predeceased by his six siblings, all of whom he loved dearly. He is survived by the love of his life, Charlotte, and their three children: John Caraway and his wife, Brenda, of Granbury, Texas; Lynn Caraway and his wife, Debbie, of Midland, Texas; and Elizabeth Caraway Davis of Midland. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Leona Davis of Belton, Missouri; Delana Caraway of Midland, Texas; Jonathan Kirk Caraway of Pasadena, Texas; and Emily Roberts of Midland, Texas. In addition, he is survived by six great-grandchildren, as well as many dear friends made throughout the years.
Arrangements are entrusted to American Heritage. Services will be held at a later date.
The family would like to express its appreciation to Hospice of Midland and Midland Memorial Hospital.