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To watch service, click here. Julius "Steve" Craton, 53, passed away on Thursday, October 3, at Duke Hospital from pulmonary fibrosis that resulted from exposure to poisonous gas during his service in the first Gulf War. His wife, Kathy, was at his bedside. He was the son of the late Julius and Teresa Craton. Steve is survived by his wife, Kathy; his brother, Roger (Shannon); nephew and niece, David and Tori Craton. Steve was born in Charlotte on October 15, 1970, and was a life-long resident. He served for four years in the US Army following graduation from Garringer High School in 1988. Steve served in combat in Iraq during the first Gulf War with the 82nd Airborne Parachute Infantry. Steve was proud to serve his country during and after his military service. He helped many of his fellow veterans following his active service who were homeless or faced other challenges. Steve was very active in the campaign to have the VA recognize that veterans who experienced exposure to toxic substances get the care and benefits that they deserve. Steve and Dr. Robbie Chandler organized the Veteran Voices MetroLinas Chapter to fight for Veterans Healthcare Benefits. Congress passed The PACT Act in 2022 so that veterans can receive benefits for service-connected disabilities that may have resulted from toxic exposures. Architecture was Steve’s great interest and career. He worked with several architectural design firms in Charlotte and Raleigh, especially with Tim Eckmair and Rob Crane at C Design. Precise Drafting Inc, Odell Associates Inc, Design Strategies LLC, HALL|AEC, and SO-DEEP|SAM NC Inc and Charlotte Steel Design. His most recent project was working on the interior design of Plaza United Methodist Church. Steve specialized in using CAD in bridge design and other construction projects. He was able to earn a BA degree in Architecture from UNC Charlotte. The UNC School of Architecture awarded Steve the coveted "Randy Beavers Award" at the time of his graduation (2015). The faculty gives the award to a student "who truly knows what it means to be alive".... someone who had an impact on the school, in ways measurable and immeasurable, while he was a student. Steve and Kathy just celebrated 29 years of marriage. They both greatly enjoyed their life in the country together surrounded by their cats, dogs, and ducks. Their horse rides in the surrounding woods and fields were special. Steve won many ribbons competing in dressage. Caring for wildlife was an important activity, especially caring for feral cats and volunteering with the N.C. Wildlife Department. Steve will be especially missed by the many people he has helped through difficult times in their lives. Kathy is very appreciative of the support that she has received from her neighbors and from her many Facebook friends. The family wishes to extend very special thank you to the medical staff at Salisbury VA Medical Center. A memorial service for Steve will be on Saturday, March 29, at Hankins and Whittington Funeral Home 1111 East Blvd, Charlotte. The service will begin at 2 p.m., with an opportunity to greet family and friends and share memories of Steve. Donations in memory of Steve can be made to Carolina Street Cats or to the charity of your choice. You may also consider adopting a cat from a cat rescue of your choice. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.HankinsandWhittington.com.

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Julius ( Steve ) Craton Obituary | Altogether