Tommy Lee Craven was a well-respected member of the community‚ an exceptional athlete at Cle Elum Roslyn High School‚ the College of Redwoods and Central Washington University from which he graduated in 1997.

His career with the U.S. Forest service began in 1989 on the Cle Elum ranger district initial attack fire suppression crew the year before he graduated from high school. Tom spent five seasons in Cle Elum‚ two summers on the initial attack crew‚ and three seasons on the district fire engine.

In 1994‚ Tom moved on to the Naches Ranger District where he worked on both engines and initial attack crews. He became a permanent employee in 1999 as assistant foreman on the initial attack crew.

Tom was a family man; son‚ brother‚ husband‚ and father leaving behind wife Evelyn‚ with whom he was making a home filled with love for daughter Tomisha and son Tshaun. Tom was always concerned about his wife‚ parents‚ brothers‚ and sister‚ but he was extremely proud of Tomisha and Tshaun‚ who brought joy to him every day.

Tom was a man of many endeavors whether he was working socializing‚ deejaying‚ or playing football‚ his enthusiasm‚ sense of humor‚ and strength of character made Tom a person no one will ever forget!

Tom was a very hard worker as evidenced by what he achieved in his life. When Tom was helping someone with a job he would work side by side with him/her until it was done‚ never quitting or giving up no matter how difficult or time consuming the task.

When Tom died on the Thirty Mile fire‚ he taught us many of life’s lessons in a very short amount of time. He will always be in the hearts of his friends and family. Men like Tom Craven come around once in a lifetime. We are fortunate to have known Big Poppa.

-Virginia Craven