Craig R. Wilkes Sr.

Craig was born on February 19, 1938, in San Francisco, CA, to Trellis and Grace Wilkes. After World War II, his family settled in Hartsville, SC, where he attended and graduated from Hartsville High School. He also served as co-captain of the Hartsville High basketball team. He then attended Belmont Abbey College, earning a degree in Business Administration and playing as a point guard for the Belmont Abbey Crusaders basketball team.

In 1960, Craig married the late Zeda Margo Forte of Hartsville, SC, and they were married for 56 years. That same year, he joined the U.S. Army and served in Korea with the 7th Infantry Division, which provided security along the DMZ.

After completing his enlistment in 1962, Craig and Zeda moved to Florence, SC, where he accepted a position with South Carolina National Bank. That same year, he also joined the South Carolina National Guard (SCNG). In 1973, Craig and his family moved to Asheboro, NC, where he was the branch manager for Planters National Bank and later, the Vice President of First National Bank, where he remained until 1983. Craig and his family moved to Columbia, SC, where he took an active-duty position in the SCNG as the commander of the 251st RAOC. In December 1990, Craig deployed with the 251st RAOC to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. After his return from Southwest Asia, Craig took other positions within the SCNG, and after serving for more than 37 years, including 22 years on active duty, Craig retired from the SCNG. He then continued to serve in a civilian role where he oversaw the retirement section for the Military Department of South Carolina.

Craig’s military achievements included graduating as the honor graduate of his class from the South Carolina National Guard’s Palmetto Military Academy (PMA) and being assigned to the Infantry Branch. He was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service, the Bronze Star Medal for meritorious service during combat operations in Desert Storm, and the Palmetto Cross in recognition of more than 50 years of exceptionally meritorious service to his community, state, and nation.

Craig’s business accomplishments included graduating from the prestigious Stonier Graduate School of Banking. He also served on the fundraising arm of the North Carolina Zoological Society, helping secure support for the new North Carolina Zoological Park, and chaired the committee that raised funds to build the Randolph-Asheboro YMCA.

Craig enjoyed playing golf and the drums, listening to jazz and bluegrass music, woodworking, and especially enjoyed sitting on the deck with his granddog Asia while savoring a good cigar in one hand and a gin and tonic in the other. And, last, but not least, cheering on his beloved USC Gamecocks.

Craig was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Zeda Forte Wilkes; and his sister, Sue Dale Hunt.

Craig is survived by his two sons, Craig (Tracie) Wilkes Jr., of Asheboro, NC, Jordan Wilkes, of Columbia, SC; his daughter, Margo (Matthew) Levi, of West Jefferson, NC; his grandson, Blake Levi, of West Jefferson, NC; his sister, Trellise Brennan, of Fort Worth, TX; and his brother, Michael Wilkes, of Sebring, FL.

A service celebrating Craig’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, August 14, 2026, at Dunbar Funeral Home in Irmo, SC, followed by the burial at 2:00 p.m. at Fort Jackson National Cemetery. All who loved Craig are welcome to attend and honor his memory. The service will be livestreamed on the funeral home's website dunbarfunerals.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family encourages those who wish to give in honor of Craig, to donate in his name to the St. Michael’s All Airborne Chapter, 1012 Astoria Parkway, Catawba, NC 28609, or the South Carolina National Guard Foundation.