Lafon "Fonz" Cravens

Lafon “Fonz” Cravens, of Liberty, died after a very short illness on Sunday, May 12, 2024, at the University of Kentucky Hospital. He was 92.

Born October 12, 1931, in Casey County, KY, he was a son of the late Tom and Emma Henson Cravens. Fonz, as known by most, had many occupations throughout the years: Liberty police officer, EMT, USPS mail truck driver, state highway department, railroad, civil defense in Indianapolis, farmer, security guard at Ephraim McDowell Hospital, and assistant at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home. He was a Baptist and US Navy veteran. Fonz was fiercely independent and lived life on his terms.  He continued to drive until about a week before his death and was on the lake fishing three weeks before. He lived by himself for 18 years after his wife’s death and always looked to the future with optimism. Fonz thought he would live for another decade at least and almost everyone else thought he would too. Along with fishing, he loved horses, and hanging out at The Village Restaurant and McKinney-Brown Funeral Home lounge. He was known by friends and family for his fish frys, his story telling, and sharing events from his life.

Survivors include his son, Tommy Cravens (and Janice Vance) of Hazard; daughter, Rebecca (and Donald) Reid of Brentwood, TN; sister, Eula Mae Durham of Casey County; grandchildren, Lindsey (and Michael) Burk, Whitney (and Jake) Hornberger, Kyle Vance, and Kameron (and Brooke) Vance; and great-grandchildren, Baylor Burk, Louisa Grace Burk, and Everett Hornberger.

Fonz was preceded in death by his parents;  wife, Mildred Martin Cravens, who passed away on March 30, 2006; and brothers, Leon and Clevo Cravens.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00PM Friday, May 17, 2024, at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home with Bro. Larry Martin officiating. Burial will follow in the Casey County Memorial Gardens with military honors by the Casey County Veterans Honor Guard.

Visitation will be on Friday, May 17, 2024, from 12 noon until 2:00PM at McKinney-Brown Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions are suggested to Hospice of the Bluegrass, 1733 Harrodsburg Road, Lexington, KY 40504.

Arrangements under the care and direction of McKinney-Brown Funeral Home. Online condolences made be left at www.mckinneybrown.com.