— Furniture Today,
MOUNT JULIET, Tenn. — Ronald A. “Tex” Craven, a furniture sales representative for 57 years, has died. He was 85.

Craven had sold for Fairfield Chair for the past 51 years, representing the company in Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas. When he reached his 50th anniversary last year, the company honored him with a plaque and a dinner at the High Point Market attended by his coworkers and his family.

“He loved being a furniture rep. He loved the dealers, and it was clear they loved him, too,” said Alvin Daughtridge, Fairfield Chair vice president. “He never thought of himself as an inspiration, but he was.”

Craven stayed on the job until his death, and was a member of the International Home Furnishings Representatives Assn.

Survivors include his wife and nine children, including three sons who are with Fairfield Chair. Mark is vice president of sales, and Mike and Jim are sales representatives.

A memorial service is scheduled for Thursday at St. Stephen Catholic Community in Old Hickory, Tenn. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Stephen Building Fund, 14544 Lebanon Rd., Old Hickory, Tenn. 37138-1698.