Oshel B. Craigo was born on Manila Creek in Putnam County to the parents of Arnie and Naomi Gibson Craigo.  He is the youngest of four sons. He worked for one year in the steel mills in Cleveland, OH after graduating from Poca High School to save money to attend Barber School.  He attended West Virginia State College while working days as a barber and selling real estate in the evenings and weekends. 

     He became interested in the restaurant business, while barbering and selling real estate.  His first restaurant was a success and he enjoyed the business so much, me made the the decision to give up barberring to focus full time on the restaurant business.  He teamed up with Kenny Grant and opened his first Gino’s Pizza and Spaghetti House in Nitro, WV.  Senator Craigo is partnered with Kenny Grant and John Tudor in 112 Tudor’s Biscuit Worlds and Gino’s Pizza and Spaghetti Houses.

     Mr. Craigo went into politics and, in 1980, served two years in the House of Delegates before running for the State Senate.  He served in the Senate for 20 years, serving in many capacities, including Senate Majority Leader.  During his last eight years, he was chairman of the Senate Finance Committee.

     Senator Craigo has served as past president of the West Virginia Restaurant Association and for several years has served on the Board of Directors. He also serves on the Board of Directors of City National Bank, is a member of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce, the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce and is co-chair of the Putnam County YMCA Capital Campaign.  His company, Better Foods, Inc., is the largest contributor of The Make a Wish Foundation in West Virginia.

     Senator Craigo is married to Joanna Parkins who has a master’s degree from Marshall University and is a retired elementary school principal.  They are the very proud parents of four daughters and two grandchildren.