Craton G. Stephens, III, age 76, of Rutherfordton, NC, passed away Wednesday, December 25, 2024.

Born on April 15, 1948, in Wake County, Craton was the son of the late Elsie Mae and Craton Stephens Jr. of Garner, North Carolina.  He had a deep love for being outdoors which took root as a child where he spent most of his youth camping, hunting, trapping and playing outdoors.

Craton attended N.C. State University where he studied Forestry.  Following graduation, he was commissioned into the Army Airborne where he attended paratrooper school and Green Beret Special Forces training.

Following a medical discharge, Craton returned to NC State to obtain his Master's degree in Wood Sciences and Technology which would lead him to a job in Galax, VA where he would meet his future wife, Teresa.  They would relocate to Rutherfordton after a short time in Jasper, Indiana where he would work for Broyhill Furniture for 25 years as a supervisor.  He would then return to school to get his teaching certificate and would work 8 more years for Rutherford County School System as a math and science teacher.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Rutherfordton as a member of the Garmon-Yelton Sunday School class as well as a member and past president of the Kiwanis Club for over 30 years.  He was a tortured lifelong fan of the NC State Wolfpack and an avid follower of the Carolina Panthers.  He was a masterful wood worker spending many hours in his beloved workshop. He was an Eagle Scout and a patient teacher.  He loved to play cards and was a faithful attendant at his Monday night game.  He was an avid reader and a lover of a good story.  He loved his pets Winston and Mattie, Goose and Sassy.  He was affectionately known by his granddaughters as the "Boop" and was a man of great humor who would never let the truth get in the way of a good story.

But most importantly he was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and friend to many and will be deeply missed by all.  He is survived by his beloved wife of 47 years, Teresa Vaughn Stephens, whom his world revolved around, his daughter, Emily Vaughn Stephens of Greensboro, NC, his son, David Craton Stephens and wife Jennifer of Elon, NC, his brother, Richard Stephens and wife Liv of Morehead City, NC, and two cherished granddaughters, Lizzie and Caitlyn Stephens of Elon, NC.

The celebration of Craton's life will be 11: 00 A.M. Saturday January 4, 2024, at First United Methodist Church with Reverend Dr. In-Yong Lee officiating. The family will be gathering in the fellowship hall at the church after the service to visit, to reminisce and tell stories. Interment will be private at Felts Memorial Cemetery, Galax, VA with military honors provided by the VFW-Grayson members. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Norris Public Library. McMahan's Funeral Home & Crematory is in charge of arrangements.