Michael Craig Wilkinson

Craig was born in Charlotte on March 21, 1970 to Melinda Barnes Wilkinson and Michael Weston Wilkinson.

Craig graduated from South Mecklenburg High School in 1988. He then graduated from North Carolina State University in 1992.

He was an excellent athlete, participating in multiple sports growing up in South Charlotte. Craig was city tennis champion for several years in his age group and played on the South Mecklenburg HS tennis team for four years. Craig’s favorite sport was golf, and as a 3rd generation family member at Carmel Country Club, he grew up playing golf at Carmel and had the opportunity to play in many prestigious golf clubs in the U.S. and all over the world.

He was a proud member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity at North Carolina State, following his father and brother, and cherished the friendships with his fraternity brothers. He was one of Sigma Phi Epsilon’s finest athletes in all sports during his time in the fraternity. Craig was a passionate and competitive person who never gave up on a challenge, whether it was a golf game, card game, political debate, or any other sport that he excelled in. He embraced every challenge and adventure in life in order to succeed as best as possible. Many have said that upon greeting Craig, his smile would light up the room. He embraced everyone with the same friendliness that was a major part of his life.

After traveling in Europe following graduation, Craig joined the family business, The Ray Company. He later moved to Washington, DC and the Atlanta areas to work for various technological companies, and finally made Charlotte his home again once his first child was born. Craig was a first rate salesman and received many kudos during his distinguished career.

Craig loved his children, Connor, Cate and Alexandra greatly, and even in the final days found time to attend his youngest daughter’s soccer tournament. He was very proud to learn in his final days that his son, Connor was admitted as another 4th family generation student at North Carolina State University.

Craig is survived by his three children, Connor, Cate, and Alexandra of Charlotte; father, Michael Weston Wilkinson (Marianne) of Charlotte; brothers, John Wesley Wilkinson (Kim) of Charlotte and Michael Weston Wilkinson, Jr. of New York City; nephews, Preston, Stephen, and Daniel Wilkinson of Charlotte; aunt and uncle, Susan and Tommy Triplett; former wife and mother of his children, Anne Phillips Lewis; cousins, Heather Triplett McNamara, Kelly Triplett Calhoun, and Hank Fisher. His mother, Melinda Grace Barnes, preceded him in death in 2012.

A celebration of life service for Craig will be held at 3:00 pm, Thursday, September 9, 2021 at Forest Hill Church South Park, 7224 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC, with Rev. Dr. Scott Carpenter officiating. A reception will be held following the service from 5:00 to 7:00 pm at Quail Hollow Club's Pavilion Room, 3700 Gleneagles Rd., Charlotte, NC.

For memorial donations, please consider Forest Hill Church-South Park or the American Cancer Society.