Charles Edgar Craven III

Charles Edgar Craven III, known to his family and friends as “Ed” passed away peacefully on December 13, 2023, at the age of 84.  Ed was friendly, well-liked, generous, always willing to help others and very intelligent.  He enjoyed family and friends, music, nature, and specifically bird watching.  

Ed was born on January 8, 1939, to Charles and Natalie Craven in Rock Island, Illinois.  Shortly after, the family moved to Catonsville, Maryland, where Ed finished high school.  Ed went on to graduate from Johns Hopkins with a master’s in mathematics, and in electrical engineering.  

Ed went to work for Operations Research Inc. in Silver Spring, Maryland, where he became an expert in scientific and software systems in support of the US Navy.  

In 1976, to celebrate the bi-centennial, Ed and a group of fellow cyclists, bicycled across the country from Maryland all the way to Oregon.  He became so impressed by the West Coast that he decided to accept a job offer in San Diego.  Ed worked at Computer Sciences Corporation for a couple of years, followed by 17 years at the SPAWAR Systems Center in Point Loma, in support US Navy underwater detection and missile defense systems.  He retired from SPAWAR in 2004.

Ed is survived by his wife Lillian whom he met shortly after he arrived and settle in San Diego.  Together they have enjoyed travelling, birdwatching, attending music events, entertaining family and friends, and many Sunday family dinners.  

Ed  is also survived by 5 daughters, Rosalie Pope of the UK, Kathy Craven of Maryland, Cherie Berry of Louisiana, and Sylvia Loomis and Julia Candillo of San Diego.  Grandchildren: Natalie, Ricky, Riley, Bethany, and Jesse, and great granddaughter, Mila. 

Ed will be laid to rest at Singing Hills Memorial Park.