Paul Craven

Tribute

Paul E. Craven, a lifelong Coloradan, talented craftsman, and Army veteran, passed away on May 8, 2026, just days after his 77th birthday. Born in San Francisco, California on May 5, 1949, Paul moved to Boulder as an infant. Growing up as part of a large family with six brothers and two sisters, he spent the rest of his life rooted in the state he called home. Losing his young brother Kelly and his sister Pam early in life affected Paul deeply, instilling in him a profound appreciation for the people he loved and shaping the fierce devotion he would later pour into his own family. During the Vietnam era, with the draft in full swing, Paul volunteered for the United States Army. Stationed in Germany as a tank mechanic, he did his duty and made his family incredibly proud. Following his four-year tour, he put his GI Bill to work at Western State College in Gunnison, paving the way for his brother Dan to eventually follow his path. These were formative years. Paul was incredibly popular, famously hosting a raging spring party called “The Craven Country Club Revival” complete with live music, kegs, and custom t-shirts. Though he puzzled his family by not completing his teaching certificate, Paul found his calling in manufacturing and professional woodworking. He eventually followed Dan into the plastics and medical device fields to find stable work. At one memorable point, Paul, Dan, their brother Pat, and Pat’s wife all had the fun experience of working together at the same company. Always respected, Paul was a positive influence on the people he worked with. He also had a sharp eye for detail, frequently lending his woodworking expertise to aid his wife, Margaret, with her self-employed chair repair business. But his greatest project was the life he built at home. In 1994, Paul took a gamble, moving his family out of the city to an old, rural farmhouse in Fort Lupton to provide a good life for his kids, Pam and Cody. A true jack-of-all-trades capable of tackling any challenge, Paul proudly passed those skills down to his son, Cody. He and Margaret poured their hearts into that property. Working side-by-side, they spent years improving the home and land, creating the backdrop for his family's fondest memories. Paul was a massive animal lover. The farmhouse was full of life, shared with a lot of dogs and cats over the years. In his later years, he loved nothing more than being a grandfather. Paul’s devotion to his family was absolute. As Margaret's health declined, Paul stepped up to care for her. Even as his own health failed, he remained fiercely dedicated to his wife until her passing in 2024, when she donated her body to science. In a final act of practicality and generosity, Paul followed in her footsteps, donating his body to Science Care to advance medical research.

Friends & Family

Paul is survived by his daughter, Pam; his son, Cody; his grandchildren, Bonnie, Ares, and Finn; his brothers, Dan and John; and his sister, Ellyn. He was preceded in death by his wife, Margaret, who passed away in September 2024; his sister, Pam; and his brothers, Kelly, Tony, Mike, and Pat.