Glen Lee Ravens' Obituary
Glen Lee Ravens was born on a farm in Arlington, Kansas on July 7, 1932 to Ines Miller Ravens and Henry Ravens. His father was a farmer, an insurance agent and Sunday School Superintendent at their Presbyterian Church for many years.
Glen had many happy memories of growing up on a large farm, being in the 4-H Club, playing basketball, and enjoying all his boyhood friends in Arlington and Hutchinson, Kansas.
He was the youngest of six children, having four big brothers and one dear sister, Ruth. When Glen was 10 years old, he was saddened to learn of the death of his brother, Robert, who was killed during World War II. Robert's death had a profound impact on Glen which was the reason he joined the Army when he was only 17. Many years later, Glen named his only son Robert after his brother Robert.
In 1949, Glen joined the U.S. Army, and a very short time later, President Truman sent him to Korea where he served for three years. He often spoke of crossing the 38th Parallel, back
and forth, and about how nothing can ever prepare a young man for war. He often spoke fondly of friendships made during his wartime experience. He received an Honorable Discharge in 1953.
Later, Glen joined in the Veterans Day Parades in Tulsa, and was a member of the VFW Chapter 1327, District #5 Rifle Squad.
After returning from the service, Glen moved to Dallas to find his fortune. In 1958, he was invited to Central Nazarene Church in Dallas by a friend. A gospel singing group, the Westernnaires, were performing, and Glen noticed a young girl in the group, and commandeered his friend to introduce them. He always remembered how lovely Charlene was in a beautiful white dress. It followed that on Valentine weekend, Glen proposed to Charlene, and they were married in the church July 25, 1959, spending the next 66 years together.
Their only son, Robert Ravens, was born in 1960 in Dallas, Texas and they were a happy young family.
Glen always loved to work with furniture, fabrics, and wood, and worked in the upholstery and furniture business for over 45 years, moving the family as needed. He was head of Quality Research and Development of Koehler Furniture in Newport, Tennessee and designed furniture for Eathan Allen and Hickory Chair Company in Hickory, North Carolina. He became a Master Pattern Maker for Ethan Allen Furniture in North Carolina and was in charge of a new furniture shipment for Camp David, Maryland for the President of the United States.
Charlene became extremely homesick, and Glen agreed to move closer to "home", so Glen found work in Tulsa. Glen eventually started up his own business, Ravens Custom Upholstery, Inc. and operated it for 25 years before retirement. They made many trips to Wichita to see Glen's brothers, sister, and their families, and he was very grateful to be able to do things for them when they became unable to take care of their homes and families themselves. He dearly loved his sister, Ruth, whom he called "Rufus" and loved to joke and kid with her.
Glen always loved Charlene's family, and she appreciated this fact. He enjoyed visiting with her Aunt Oleta, her mom and Stepdad. Many happy times were had visiting with Charlene's family in the Oklahoma City area. They became his second family in every sense of the word. When Charlene's mom had cancer, Glen was a tremendous help to her and the family, especially during the 18 months of her illness.
Glen helped start-up the South Country Estates Retirement Club in 1995. He was President for two years and enjoyed the friendship of their subdivision's senior citizens. He was constantly visiting friends and neighbors alike when they were homebound or in the hospital.
Glen always enjoyed doing things for his friends, neighbors, relatives, and especially for the Lord. He furnished upholstery work for many churches in the area, upholstering all the pew cushions for First United Methodist Church of Tulsa, when he and Charlene were members there. At Asbury, he furnished the cushions in the choir loft, and orchestra for the handbell ringers, kneeling pads for the Prayer Room and for weddings in Mason Chapel.
He also loved woodworking, making wheelchair ramps for friends and neighbors and also for several Tulsans. He made the beautiful podium for the Happy Christians Community and the gothic window cornices for the same room, furnishing a template of the cornices for the Maintenance Committee which, in turn, made them for other classrooms and offices at Asbury.
Glen enjoyed a closeness to his son, Robert, and loved teaching him about mechanical and electrical matters around the house and for their autos and was always so pleased when Rob asked for his help. And Rob was always available to help his dad, in turn. Rob died April 2, this year, at the age of 64.
Glen was the very proud grandfather of Andrew Glen Ravens, his wife Allison, and great grandfather to Dallas Ravens, age 6.
Glen died at Clarehouse, Tulsa, on July 3, 2025, just 4 days short of his 93rd birthday. He was a kind man, a loving husband, a proud veteran, a patient father, a helping neighbor, https://and...he loved to walk his dog!
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