Irving Leo Ravel

Irving Leo Ravel, shoe guru for three generations of Kara-Vel kids, rested his soul after ninety four years of a wonderful life on September 18, 2009. He was born in Long Beach California August 20, 1915 to Joseph and Teresa Ravel but raised in El Paso, Texas. Mr. Ravel moved to Austin, Texas to earn a BBA degree from the University of Texas in 1936. The year following graduation, Mr. Ravel and his college fraternity brother, Robert Karotkin, opened a children's shoe store, Kara-Vel Shoes, taking the name from the first part of "Karotkin" and the last part of "Ravel". The store opened at 818 Congress Avenue next to the Paramount Theater. In the era of segregation, Mr. Ravel was the first merchant on Congress Avenue to seat African American families wherever they pleased. Today, after 72 years in business, Karavel hosts a complex of shoe options at 5525 Burnet Road. In 1980, at the age of 65, he "officially" turned the store over to his son Richard Ravel but continued to work daily until 1998 when he was eighty-two years old. Mr. Ravel was a WWII veteran and served proudly for four and a half years in Europe. His final assignment was as Executive Officer of an Ordinance group in England that designed, built and maintained the mobile headquarters for General Omar Bradley A replica of the headquarters was created for the movie "Patton". He retired as a Lieutenant Colonel and was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service to his country. Mr. Ravel contributed countless volunteer hours to his Austin community. He served as vice chairman of the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department, March of Dimes Board, President of Temple Beth Israel, President of the Jewish Community Council of Austin and founder and twice president of the Austin Ballet Society, now Ballet Austin, founder of a radio station KHFI, chairman of the Businessmen's advisory committee to the AISD Distributive Education Program, Past Rotarian for thirty-five years at the Rotary Club of Austin, member of the Austin Symphony, volunteer at the Brackenridge Hospital Indigent Foot Clinic and volunteer at the Seton Good health Club. Mr. Ravel was predeceased by his first wife Dorothy Ray Stern Ravel. He is survived by his loving wife of thirteen years, Carline Copland Ravel; a son Rick and daughter-in-law Rhonda Ravel, a daughter Barbara Jane and son-in law Irwin "Buddy" Herz, step-daughter Carol Kadison and her husband Doug, and step-son Albert Copland. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren including Kenneth and Rachael Herz, Melanie and Chris Promecene, Alexis Ravel, Bret and Zack Kadison, Michael and Aaron Wittenstein, Alexis and Matt Kaplan, Josh and Erin Copland . He is also survived by seven great- grandchildren including Max, Maddie and Ellie Herz, Isabella Wittenstein, Lena and Zoe Copland, and Tyler Kaplan. He also leaves loving nieces, Rita Carrol, Benita Neuman, Elise Ravel, and Janey Epstein, grand nieces, grand nephews, friends and neighbors who greatly enriched his life. The family wishes to extend heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jerry Vandel and Dr. Anne Alexander and staff for the compassionate care of Mr. Ravel in these last years of his life. The family gratefully acknowledges the marvelous companionship and tender oversight that was unselfishly given by Linda Valadez, Youlan Douglas, Gloria Saenz, Soraya and Freddy Salazar, and John King. We also wish to the staff Westminster Manor Nursing Center, Hospice Care Austin and Karavel Shoes Comfort Center employees for their support. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Temple B'nai Israel Permanent Endowment Fund, Austin Rotary Foundation's Keep Kids in School, c/o Rotary Club of Austin or charity of choice. Funeral arrangements are made by Weed-Corley-Fish in Austin Texas with Rabbi Steven Folberg of Congregation Beth Israel officiating at a graveside service at Congregation Beth Israel Cemetery II, located at Oakwood Cemetery, 1601 Navasota, beginning at 3PM, Sunday, September 20, 2009. Honorary Pall Bearers include Kenneth Herz, Bret Kadison, Zachery Kadison, Michael Wittenstein, Aaron Wittenstein, Youlan Douglas, Linda Valadez, Gloria Saenz, Dr. Joanne Ravel, Doris Karotkin, Roy Minton, Jack Gerling, Dorothy Hyman, Leon Schmidt, and Sid Hurwitz, Rita Ravel Carrol, and Benita Ravel Neumann.