Craig Gates Dalton Jr.

An alumnus of UNC Chapel Hill and Emory Law School, he went on to work for the law firms Ragsdale Liggett and Poyner Spruill as an Estate Planner. During his long career he served as the Chair of the Estate Planning and Fiduciary Law Section of the NC Bar Association, argued on a case before the Supreme Court, and was awarded the Chief Justice Award for Excellence in Pro Bono Service for his work on reparations for victims of eugenics.

A fixture in the Raleigh community, Craig was a founding member of the Carolina Ballet and Artsplosure, and served as the Chair of Capital Area Preservation Inc.

Craig married his first wife, Theresa Rossi Dalton, in April of 1989. Married for 26 years, they shared one daughter, Catherine Quinan Dalton. After Theresa’s passing in 2015, Craig married Valerie Loftin in August of 2018.

Craig was known for his passion for art and history, being the friendliest person in the room, and the pride and love he had for his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Craig and Ella Mae, his brother, David, and his first wife, Theresa.

Craig is survived by his wife, Valerie, his daughter, Quinan, and his many friends and extended family.

A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 am on Monday, August 10, 2026 at Saint Michael's Episcopal Church, 1520 Canterbury Rd, Raleigh, NC. A reception will follow in the Parish Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to PBS North Carolina ( donate.pbsnc.org ) or to Saint Michael's Episcopal Church ( https://www.holymichael.org/givenow ).

Brown-Wynne, 300 Saint Mary's Street, Raleigh is serving the Dalton family.