the
late Leslie Gladstone McCraw, Sr. and Cornelia Milam
McCraw. In addition to his wife of 52 years, Mary
Earle Brown McCraw, Mr. McCraw
is survived by three sons, Leslie (Trey) Gladstone McCraw
III and his wife, Robin Spann McCraw, of Charleston,
South Carolina; James Brown McCraw of Atlanta,
Georgia; and John Courtney McCraw of La Jolla,
California; his loving grandchildren, Katie, Sophie-Earle, Connor, Campbell and
Morgan and his faithful four-legged companion Blu.
Two sisters, Anne McCraw Nelson and her husband,
George, of Awendaw, South Carolina, and Elizabeth
McCraw Stone of Charlotte, North Carolina, also
survive him as well as five nieces and one nephew.Growing up in Sandy Springs, South Carolina, Mr. McCraw graduated from Boys' High School in Anderson, South Carolina, and attended Clemson, following in the footsteps of his father, a 1926 Clemson graduate and charter member of IPTAY. Les was a member of Blue Key and earned his degree in Civil Engineering in 1956. After graduating from Clemson, he worked for Gulf Oil, served as a First Lieutenant in the United States Air Force and became an officer of E. I. DuPont de Nemours & Company. In 1975, he joined Daniel International, now Fluor Corporation, where he advanced through the Company's ranks, ultimately becoming Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer until his retirement in 1997. His emphasis on safety was a trademark of his leadership.
He will be remembered as a loving family man, a visionary businessman, champion of higher education, devotee of the game of golf and an avid leader in his community. His insights, acumen, and forthrightness enriched the many boards on which he served. He served as a director of New York Life Insurance Company, Multi-Media, Allergan, Peace Center for Performing Arts, the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities Foundation, the Greenville Symphony Foundation, and the Ronald McDonald House. He was a member of the Richard Furman Society and the Palmetto Society and a past member of the Greenville-Spartanburg Airport Environs Commission and Palmetto Business Forum.
An eminent leader in the engineering and construction industry, Les was appointed to the President's Export Council and served as a member of the Business Roundtable, Business Committee for the Arts, Inc., the Construction Industry Round Table and the U. S. Chamber of Commerce. He was a former director of the National Committee on United States-China Relations and the United States China Business Council. He was a member of the International Advisory Board of the British American Business Council, and for the years 1994 and 1995 he co-chaired the Pacific Business Forum by appointment of The President of the United States.
Two early influences, his mother, Cornelia, who was a teacher, and "Frog" Reames, the legendary principal of Boys' High in Anderson, South Carolina, instilled in Les a passion for educational pursuits. He was dedicated to the advancement of higher education and was instrumental in a number of educational initiatives, having served as a past member of the President's Advisory Council and the South Carolina Universities Research and Education Foundation. He was a former trustee of Hampden-Sydney College, Columbia College, and was a former member of the Business-Higher Education Forum. Mr. McCraw joined the Clemson University Board of Trustees as a Life Trustee on December 18, 1995, and served with great distinction for 15 years. He was a leading voice in urging investment in our state's colleges, universities and technical schools. Mr. McCraw's contributions and loyalty to the University earned him the Alumni Association's Distinguished Service Award, induction into the Thomas Green Clemson Academy of Engineers and Scientists, and the President's Award. In 1998, he received the State's highest honor, The Order of the Palmetto, recognizing his lifetime achievements and contributions to the state of South Carolina.
In his retirement, nothing gave him more pleasure than spending time with his family and playing golf, especially in the McCraw Classic, an annual golf tournament played with his three sons. He also enjoyed cheering on his beloved Clemson Tigers. His warmth and good humor was every bit a part of his nature, as was his attention to detail and exacting expectations, most of all of himself.
He faced many challenges throughout his life, but his greatest was cancer. Over the last seventeen years, he fought that fight with much courage and dignity. The family will be forever grateful for the loving care provided him over the last several months by Mark Alexander, Kisha Berry, Cindy Cochran, as well as BrightStar and Interim Hospice.
Mr. McCraw was a member of First Presbyterian Church where a memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 4 at 6:00 pm. The family will receive friends Friday, June 3 from 5:00 until 7:00 pm in the parlor of the church.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Class of 2956 Academic Success Center, Clemson, SC 29634-5126 or to the Cancer Centers of the Carolinas, 900 West Faris Road, Greenville, South Carolina 29605.