
Clarence Lenwood Craft was born at East Rainell, located in Greenbrier County, West Virginia, on May 9, 1926, the son of Clarence L. Craft and Minera (Adkins) Craft. He attended grade school at East Rainelle and graduated from East Rainelle High School in 1944. He entered the Army July 1944, and served with the 11th Airborne Division in the South Pacific. He was discharged December 1946. He entered Virginia Polytechnic Institute at Blacksburg, VA, September 1947. In August 1949 was recalled to service due to the Korean Conflict and served in the 11th Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, KY, until March 1951.
He was a salesman and collector for the Sneak Co. of America, Providence, RI, until April 1954 when he joined the sales staff of the Frank Tea and Spice Company of Cincinnati, OH. Later he became Territory Manager for Frank Foods Inc., also of Cincinnati. In January 1954, he married Orpha Greet. They have three children: Mrs. Orpha Sue Martin, Bettye Lynn Craft, and Clarence L. Craft, Jr.
Brother Craft was initiated in Oak Hill Lodge No. 120, Oak Hill, WV, on July 17, 1958. He served as Worshipful Master in 1963-64 and 1966-67. We was elected treasurer of Oak Hill Lodge No. 120 in June 1970. He was exalted a Royal Arch Mason in Sewell Chapter No. 24, Oak Hill, on April 28, 1959. He served as High Priest of Sewell Chapter in 1962-63, 1968-69 and 1969-70. He received the degree of Anointed High Priest October 9, 1962, and was knighted in Mount Hope Commandery No. 22, Mount Hope, WV, on April 28, 1969. He was created a Noble of the Mystic Shrine, November 6, 1971, in Beni-Kedem Temple, Charleston, WV. Companion Craft assisted in reinstating the Order of Rainbow for Girls in Oak Hill.
At the Annual Convocation of the Grand Chapter Royal Arch Masons of West Virginia held in Wheeling, WV, on October 11, 1966, he was appointed Grand Marshall by M.E. Companion James P. Allen and was regularly advanced from year to year.
On October 12, 1974, he was elected and installed to the exalted station of Most Excellent Grand High Priest. Brother Craft was called from his earthly labors to eternal rest on Friday, February 16, 2007. His funeral was held on Wednesday, February 21, 2007, at the Tyree Funeral Home. Burial followed the memorial service and was at the High Lawn Cemetery in Oak Hill, WV. Masonic Graveside Rites were held.