Stanley H. Cravens

Stanley Homer Cravens, a long-time Madisonian, died unexpectedly on March 29, 2026. He was 78. Stan was born at the Presidio, San Francisco, California on January 17, 1948, to Homer and Virgina (Ference) Cravens.

Stan’s father Homer made his career with the U.S. Air Force, and the family lived in multiple states and even overseas when Stan was growing up. After Stan had lived in Madison for only two years, he declared that it was the longest he’d lived anywhere; it became his home for 50 years.

Stan served in the U.S. Army with the Army Security Agency in Ethiopia and Vietnam (1966-1970). He was with the 101st Airborne and very proud of his service. Stan joined the Army from high school and tested at the top of his group and was given a choice of training schools. He went to language school for a year and was sent to Viet Nam as a Crypt Analyst intercepting communications from enemy groups, translating them and providing the information to the battalion commander. Stan was promoted to a Spec Five and was awarded the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement.

Upon his discharge he attended the University of New Hampshire (UNH) and graduated from UNH with a master’s degree in history and came to Madison in 1976 to attend the University of Wisconsin for advanced studies. Shortly after, he began working for the state of Wisconsin, first as the Wisconsin State Capitol Tour director and then for many years as an information technologist and a software development manager for the state.

He was a devoted member of the Kiwanis Club of Downtown Madison for 42 years and was elected President 1990-1991 and then lieutenant Governor 1992-1993 for the Wisconsin-Upper Michigan District.

He was elected Kiwanis Governor of the Wisconsin and Upper Michigan District 1997-1998 as well as serving as Circle K district administrator beginning in 2000. His most rewarding role with Kiwanis was the seven years he spent working with college-age Kiwanians in the Circle-K program as district administrator. It was in this role that Stan developed many deep and lasting friendships with many of the members.

Stan was also a long-time member of the Madison History Roundtable. He especially enjoyed attending Madison Symphony concerts, the Madison Opera and many of the American Players Theater productions each year in Spring Green.

Stan is survived by his wife of 50 years, Debbie (Sargent) Cravens and brother Thomas and sister-in-law Brenda Cravens.

The family will host a celebration of Stan’s life at Olbrich Botanical Gardens in Madison, Wisconsin on June 15, 2026, from 11-2.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Kiwanis/Wisconsin Upper Michigan Circle K (checks made payable to: WUM Circle K and mailed to: WiUM Kiwanis, 1641 Fox River Parkway, Waukesha, WI 53189), Disabled American Veterans (PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or online) or an organization of your choice.

Cress Funeral & Cremation Service

3325 E. Washington Ave.

Madison (608) 249-6666

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