The West Virginia State Civilian Conservation Corps Museum Association proudly announces the induction of Luke Arthur Armentrout in the Hall of Fame with the 2014 Fall Class. Our Honoree was inducted during ceremonies at the annual CCC Jubilee held at the Quiet Dell United Methodist Church, Saturday, October 18, 2014.
Luke A. Armentrout was born in the small Randolph County community of Frank, West Virginia on June 12, 1927. His father Arthur worked in the mines. His mother, Leasal worked tirelessly to make ends meet as the Great Depression began to take its terrible toll. Early on, he moved in with his Aunt Alvlee, Grace Kisner. Luke attended the Durbin School and Greenbank High School. He was very proud to have completed his G.E.D. Later in life. At the age of fourteen, our Honoree heard about the Civilian Conservation Corps and liked what he heard. He signed up with the CCC in May of 1941 at Camp 2586 Thornwood. Armentrout served at Thornwood and at Cheat Mountain CCC Summer Work Camp. “It opened up a whole new world to me. Back in the place I grew up, they had a tannery and I saw that that is not where I wanted to be the rest of my life. I also was not fond of school. I felt like I was learning a whole lot more than school in CCC. I didn't like just sitting there all the time. I liked to do things. The superintendent and our leaders seemed to take a good interest in me and all of us. We got discipline and learned how to do things. We learned the types of trees. We learned how important saving and conservation was to our lands, how to make a bed, and how to cook for ourselves. Things that meant a lot to me.” Armentrout was only in the CCC for four months. “I remember sleeping on a cot at Camp Pickens.” He remembered his only CCC dance. “The truck pulled up and Dan yelled 'Get in'. I was standing in front of the barracks. He said he was heading to Durbin to pick up girls for the dance back at Thorwood. It was just fun and hard work and I loved every minute of it (he CCC).”
His Niece was a school teacher. One day she asked about Lukr. His Aunt Alvee said he was not going to school and that he was in the CCC. The teacher immediately contacted the truent officer and the police came out to the Cheat Mountain Summer CCC Camp and nine were rounded up and sent home.” On Mr. Armentout's Honorable Discharge papers signed by Carl E. Ballentine, Subatering Commanding Officer, October 10, 1941, Luke was removed from camp by “Order Regs. 455. WD. 12/01/37 #78 CCC 2586. Return to School. And, that is how Mr. Armentrout described his CCC Camp life.
Luke Armentrout married Joan (Jo Anne) Morris of Arborville at the age of seventeen. They were married sixty seven years until her death in 2011.
Until his death, Amentrout, in recent years, loved to attend the annual CCC reunions at Watoga State Park CCC Museum.
He was a craftman all his life, a furniture and cabinet maker. He retired from a Canton, Ohio furniture factory outlet. At the time of his induction, Mr. Armentout lived with his sister, Connie Buckridge, in Canton, Ohio. Mr. Armentrout was a fine Christian man.
