M. W. Brother Charles Herbert Strayer was born September 2, 1894 in Toledo, Lucas County, Ohio the son of Frank Eugene and Grace McNitt Strayer. He attended Toledo Public Schools, Old Central High School, the University of Toledo Law School and was a graduate of the American Institute of Banking.
On April 5, 1917 he married Luella M. Roberts; they had one son, John Wesley Strayer. He was a member of the Second Church of Christ, Scientist in Toledo, Ohio.
He was employed by the National Bank of Commerce in 1914 as a messenger and continued with that institution during various mergers, reorganizations and the bank closing. He advanced through many offices, retiring in 1962 as Vice President.
His Civic Record is one of distinction – Finance Officer, Toledo Day Nursery; Member Board of Directors, North Toledo Settlement House; Vice President, Sinking Fund Commission, City of Toledo; Trustee, Toledo Automobile Club; Past President and Instructor, Toledo Chapter American Institute of Banking; Past President, Toledo Exchange Club; Past District Governor, Exchange Clubs of Ohio and Vice-President, National Bank of Toledo, Business Development Department.
Shortly after retirement he was approached by the officials of the Exchange Bank in Luckey, Ohio with the request that he open a branch bank in Walbridge, Ohio. He accepted and remained with them approximately two years. He became very active in the Masonic Fraternity receiving his Master Mason Degree on June 20, 1916 in Sanford L. Collins Lodge No. 396. He served this Lodge as Worshipful Master in 1926.
He was a member of Fort Meigs Chapter No. 29, Royal Arch Masons; Royal and Select Masters, Toledo Council No. 33; Lafayette Lyttle Commandery No. 77, Knights Templar; Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite, Valley of Toledo which he served as Treasurer for fifteen years. He was crowned an Honorary 33° in 1959. He also belonged to the Zenobia Temple Shrine, O-Ton-To-La Grotto and was Grand Representative to the Grand Lodge of Washington.
He held the Legion of Honor Degree in the DeMolay and was a charter member of Harbor Light Chapter O.E.S. serving as its first Associate Patron and was elected as Patron in 1965.
He was appointed District Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Free & Accepted Masons of Ohio in 1499, 1950 and 1951 and was appointed Junior Grand Deacon in October 1953. He served in the intervening Grand Lodge Offices and was elected as Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Ohio in October of 1960.
M. W. Brother Charles Strayer departed this life on Tuesday, January 30, 1973. Masonic services were held in Toledo on Thursday, February 1st and religious services the following day.