LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– On Tuesday, Dennis Cravens turned 101-years-old, but as he has done for decades now, the structural engineer refused to miss a day of work.
“He is an inspiration to all of us. His dedication, his work ethic, the fact that he’s here. He’s the first one here every day, he’s the last one to leave every night,” said Cravens’ co-worker Tamara Bellamy.
He has been working since he got his first job at 12-years-old. After high school, Cravens became a carpenter. During World War II, he, like many other young Americans, was drafted. Cravens stayed stateside, working on tank landing ships famously used on the beaches of Normandy and Iwo Jima.
Thanks to the GI Bill, Cravens later became an engineer, started a family business, and moved to Lexington.
All these years later, Cravens is still at it.
“I can understand if a person is working in a factory, cutting off the same piece all day long being glad to get out of it. I don’t have that kind of feeling. I hope I can work longer,” he said.
He is on time every single day, four decades late to retirement.
