Craig K. Mayfield was born and raised in Aberdeen, Washington. He graduated from high school in 1945 and was drafted into the US Army to serve during the tail end of World War II. He was sent to Japan and worked for a time in the military finance department. He also served as a platoon sergeant before returning home and attending college. He worked as a purchasing agent for a timber company. He was introduced to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was baptized in 1953. He got married and went back to school to get his master's and doctorate degrees in education. From there he taught at the Intermountain Indian School, San Jose State University, BYU Hawaii, and BYU Provo. After retirement, he and his wife served seven missions to South America. He passed away in 2013.