Craig Allen Thomas

He was born in Charlotte on February 2, 1969 to Julia Wolfe Thomas and Carl Holland Thomas.

Craig received a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a master’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in Urban and Regional Planning. After receiving his degrees, he worked for various towns in the Charlotte area, most recently as Planning Director for the Town of Midland.

He married Brenda Campany on July 18, 1998 at St. Thomas Aquinas Church in Charlotte. After meeting through mutual friends from UNC, they quickly learned that they shared a love for the outdoors - hiking, camping, mountain biking, playing tennis, and competing in co-ed softball leagues.

Craig loved working in the public sector and the relationships he made within this relatively small community, but his favorite job by far was being a father. He deeply cherished the four years he was a stay-at-home dad for Seth and Peyton. He filled their days with the perfect combination of learning and fun, which helped shape the adults they are today.

Craig never tired of spending countless hours with Seth drawing maps, completing crosswords, and driving to train stations and train crossings (often multiple times a day much to Peyton’s disappointment) to count the number of engines and cars as they went by. They would talk about where the trains came from, where they were going, and what they had onboard.

Peyton and Craig had their own imaginative world. They would dance and sing, bake, play dress-up, have spa days, build crutches, cardboard cars, and tight ropes, and go on regular outdoor adventures. They shared the same smart wit and quirky sense of humor. There is nothing he wouldn’t do for his little girl.

Through the years Craig’s dogs were a constant source of light for him. From Honey barking "Happy Birthday" to Greta, Craig and Brenda’s first dog, to Tanner and Duste. Lastly, he absolutely adored his sidekick Josie. He gave her the best first three years of her life full of car rides, running outside, and kitchen dance parties.

Craig was blessed with the rare gift of being able to find extreme joy in everyday activities - playing tennis with neighborhood buddies and friends, Sunday lunches with his mom, pranking people at the office, and sharing funny dad jokes with anyone who would listen. Everyone who knew him knew he bled Carolina Blue. He could recite stats from any Carolina football or basketball game, even those that occurred before he was born.

Craig was predeceased by his father Carl Holland Thomas Jr. Besides his mother he is survived by his wife Brenda, son Seth (Boston), daughter Peyton (New York City), sister Leesa Clardy (Jim) of Charlotte, brother Scott (Dorothy) of Gainesville FL and several adored nieces and nephews.

There will be a visitation on Wednesday, December 3, 5:00 – 8:00 pm at Hartsell Funeral Home Harrisburg, NC, and a memorial service Thursday, December 4, 11:00 am at Saint Stephen United Methodist Church, 6800 Sardis Rd, Charlotte, NC.

Memorial in Craig’s honor may be made to the Humane Society of Concord and Greater Cabarrus County 2010 Wilshire Ct. SW Concord www.humanesocietyofconcord.org.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Harrisburg is serving the Thomas family.