Benjamin Roland Setzer

Lenoir, NC- Colonel Benjamin Roland Setzer, North Carolina Air National Guard (Retired), passed away Wednesday, September 25, 2014 at Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care in Lenoir.Born March 27, 1938 in Caldwell County, he was the son of the late James Carl and Amanda Anderson Setzer and the husband of the late Lillian Kent Setzer. Other than his wife and parents, he is preceded in death by his daughter, Elizabeth “Libby” Anne Setzer; three brothers-in-law and five sisters-in-law. He is survived by his son, James Setzer of Lenoir; one brother-in-law, Horry M. Kent, Sr. and wife Mary Wilma of Lenoir and one sister-in-law, Jerri Kent Heltzer of Lenoir. Col. Setzer graduated high school from Happy Valley.He was a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of the University of North Carolina where he received his bachelor’s degree.He received his Master’s Degree from Appalachian State University in 1956. He had served as principal at several Caldwell County schools and later retired as assistant superintendent of the Caldwell County school system.He served one term on the local school board as well.He was an active member of the First Advent Christian Church where he taught Sunday School for 20 years. Col. Setzer retired after serving in the North Carolina National Guard for over 38 years. A celebration of Col. Setzer’s life will be held 2:00 PM Tuesday, September 30, 2014 at First Advent Christian Church with Reverend Robert Hodges and Reverend David Richards officiating.Burial with full Military Honors will follow at Blue Ridge Memorial Park. The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 12:30 until 2:00 PM in the Sanctuary of First Advent Christian Church. His nephews, Robert Kent, III, James Kent, Jr., Horry Kent, Jr., Michael Kent, William Kent, Jr., and Timothy Barlow will serve as pallbearers. The family respectfully requests memorials be made to the First Advent Christian Church, 1102 Old North Road, Lenoir, NC 28645 or Caldwell Hospice and Palliative Care, 902 Kirkwood Street, Lenoir, NC 28645. Online condolences may be sent to the Setzer Family at www.evansfuneralservice.com Evans Funeral Service & Crematory of Lenoir is serving the Setzer Family.