1931
Charles
2017
Charles Caven
March 2, 1931 — May 31, 2017
Lt. Col. Charles Allen (“Bubber”) Caven died Wednesday, May 31, 2017 after a brief stay at Hospice Ministries in Ridgeland, Mississippi. He was born and raised in Okolona, Mississippi. He graduated from Okolona High School, during which time he served at the community swimming pool as a life guard every summer. He was an excellent swimmer and diver, and during each school year, he played on the football team. He was awarded many local, conference and state awards. He also played in the first Mississippi All Star football game in Jackson, Mississippi, with his brother-in-law, Troy Tolbert. Together, they scored the only touchdown for the South team. He then went to Mississippi State and played football on a full scholarship.
He was married to Jo Anne Tolbert from Hollandale for 62 years. He received his Commission through ROTC and began his service in the Air Force on May 10, 1955, which ended Jo Anne’s studies at Delta State. He was then retired by his brother-in-law in a ceremony at Keesler Air Force Base on September 30, 1978. At that time they moved to Brandon, Mississippi.
During his Air Force career, the family lived in a number of places in the United States, as well as five times at overseas bases. It included Italy, two times in Germany, as well as Manila and Bangkok. He served in a civilian capacity as Chief of Flight Test for Philippine Airlines and Thai Airways. He and his family did not live on an airbase in Manila or Bangkok. It was a challenging assignment, but also afforded great opportunities for he and his family to travel the world. He enjoyed membership in the Manila Polo Club, and became fans of a new sport.
During one assignment in Germany he flew in a Special Air Mission Squadron and had the honor of going to Moscow to fly Ambassador Kohler to Berlin to meet President Kennedy, then return to Moscow. This squadron gave support to American dignitaries and officials when they were in Europe. The second time he was stationed at Rhein-Main Air Base, he commanded the 7th SOS Squadron, which was one of only three such bases in the world that performed air rescue missions.
“Bubber” was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Jo Anne Tolbert Caven; two sons, Kip Caven of Jackson, Mississippi, and Todd Caven of Pensacola, Florida. He is survived by one granddaughter, Cayman Leigh Caven, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He is also survived by two sisters, Gloria Robbins of Okolona, Mississippi and Bonnie Jean Tsurudome of El Segundo, California. Other survivors are Troy Tolbert (Louie) of Valdosta, Georgia, Betty Rhinehart (David) of Forest, Mississippi, Dick Tolbert (Linda) of Williamsburg, Virginia, Gwynn Burchard (Danny) of Brandon, Mississippi, and Mike Tolbert (Lorene) of Forest, Mississippi.
Visitation willo be held on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at Crossgates Methodist Church from 9:30 to 11:00 am. Funeral Services will begin at 11 am at the Church. Interment will be private, for family only.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that memorials be made to Hunter Mollett, a very deserving young man from Enterprise, Mississippi, that will enable him to continue his education at Harvard University. The address is 501 River Road, Enterprise, Mississippi 39220. Please send his mail to the attention of: Kathy Dedwylder, Hunter’s Guidance Counselor. You may refer to the Clarion Ledger of May 22, 2017 for Hunter’s life story.
He was married to Jo Anne Tolbert from Hollandale for 62 years. He received his Commission through ROTC and began his service in the Air Force on May 10, 1955, which ended Jo Anne’s studies at Delta State. He was then retired by his brother-in-law in a ceremony at Keesler Air Force Base on September 30, 1978. At that time they moved to Brandon, Mississippi.
During his Air Force career, the family lived in a number of places in the United States, as well as five times at overseas bases. It included Italy, two times in Germany, as well as Manila and Bangkok. He served in a civilian capacity as Chief of Flight Test for Philippine Airlines and Thai Airways. He and his family did not live on an airbase in Manila or Bangkok. It was a challenging assignment, but also afforded great opportunities for he and his family to travel the world. He enjoyed membership in the Manila Polo Club, and became fans of a new sport.
During one assignment in Germany he flew in a Special Air Mission Squadron and had the honor of going to Moscow to fly Ambassador Kohler to Berlin to meet President Kennedy, then return to Moscow. This squadron gave support to American dignitaries and officials when they were in Europe. The second time he was stationed at Rhein-Main Air Base, he commanded the 7th SOS Squadron, which was one of only three such bases in the world that performed air rescue missions.
“Bubber” was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Jo Anne Tolbert Caven; two sons, Kip Caven of Jackson, Mississippi, and Todd Caven of Pensacola, Florida. He is survived by one granddaughter, Cayman Leigh Caven, of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He is also survived by two sisters, Gloria Robbins of Okolona, Mississippi and Bonnie Jean Tsurudome of El Segundo, California. Other survivors are Troy Tolbert (Louie) of Valdosta, Georgia, Betty Rhinehart (David) of Forest, Mississippi, Dick Tolbert (Linda) of Williamsburg, Virginia, Gwynn Burchard (Danny) of Brandon, Mississippi, and Mike Tolbert (Lorene) of Forest, Mississippi.
Visitation willo be held on Saturday, June 3, 2017 at Crossgates Methodist Church from 9:30 to 11:00 am. Funeral Services will begin at 11 am at the Church. Interment will be private, for family only.
In lieu of flowers, the family would like to request that memorials be made to Hunter Mollett, a very deserving young man from Enterprise, Mississippi, that will enable him to continue his education at Harvard University. The address is 501 River Road, Enterprise, Mississippi 39220. Please send his mail to the attention of: Kathy Dedwylder, Hunter’s Guidance Counselor. You may refer to the Clarion Ledger of May 22, 2017 for Hunter’s life story.
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