Jesse Robert Setzler, 71 of Conway, Arkansas passed away Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at Baptist Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas, holding the hand of his loving wife of 15 years, Susan. He was born in Conway on November 22, 1953, to Lewis B. and Mona Lou Setzler, spent his childhood in Enola, Arkansas, then moved to Conway with his family where he remained until his passing.
In addition to his beloved wife, Jess is survived by his children Lisa Hickey of Little Rock, Chase Hickey of Conway, and Clay Hickey (Rose) of Atkins, and the most recent joy in his life, his grandson Liam Hickey. Other survivors include his brothers Mark Setzler (Lynda) of Camden, Luke Setzler (Sandra) of Conway, step brothers Don Cato (Mona) of Medford, Oregon, and Bozie Cato of Las Cruces, New Mexico, nieces Jennifer House (Spencer) Plainfield, Indiana, Erika Setzler of Conway, Morgan Havens (Hunter) of Conway, nephew John Setzler (Jenna) of Augusta, Georgia, great nieces Delaney and Sydney House, Shelley and Hannah Setzler, great nephews Jackson House, Braxton Setzler, and Hudson Havens as well as aunts, uncles, many cousins and a multitude of friends. He is proceeded in death by his parents, step-father Lucian Cato, and step-brother Fred Cato.
Jess was a proud 1971 graduate of Conway High School. In 1976, he graduated from the University of Central Arkansas, formerly State College of Arkansas, where received a B.S. degree in Art and minored in Geography. In 1977, Jess began work in the Art Department of Arkansas PBS. Jess was an integral part of producing numerous Arkansas programs, events, and media materials. He was named Employee of the Year in 1992 and received the Life Service Award in 2010 for his many years of dedication and tireless service to Arkansas PBS. After an extremely rewarding 43 years in 2020, he retired as the Assistant Director of Communications.
Jess was a gifted artist, incredibly talented musician, avid bird watcher, and a golf enthusiast. In 2019 Jess was honored to receive the Faulkner County Library Lifetime Achievement in the Arts Award. His multiple works of art created for the Youth Home EGGSIBITION, many years of photographic contributions to programs in the community such as the Miss UCA Pageant, as well as the hundreds of hours he spent designing anything from album covers, to event banners, and program books for friends and family earned him this esteemed award. As a young adult, Jess played lead guitar in several local bands. Later in life he would perform with Susan for his beloved birds, particularly his hummingbirds, while enjoying the view from his back porch. His grandson Liam particularly enjoyed his ukulele rendition of “Old McDonald Had a Farm.”
A rare and precious man, Jess was loved, admired, and respected by all who had the pleasure of knowing him. He loved spending time with cherished friends, former classmates and co-workers, and most of all, his family. Jess’s calm and wise counsel, kindness, unconditional love, and sense of humor will be terribly missed by those who had the pleasure of knowing him.
His love for God and faith deepened as he grew older. Jess had been a member of 2nd Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas, since 1964 and regularly attended services in person, or enjoyed the online service from the comfort of his recliner.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to Youth Home, Inc. of Little Rock, Arkansas Public Television Service or a charity of your choice.
A visitation will be held on Sunday, December 15, 2024 from 1:30-3:00pm with funeral service starting at 3:00pm at Second Baptist Church in Conway, Arkansas.
Arrangements by A Natural State Funeral Service 2620 West Main Street, Jacksonville, Arkansas 72076. 501-982-3400. Online guestbook available at www.anaturalstatefuneralservice.com
33 Comments
I met Jess many years ago, as a friend of Susan. Hearing their story was lovely. He was a great photographer and musician. He and Susan fit together perfectly and I know their love will live forever. SOS sorry Susan and family. Prayers for you.
Jess touched the lives of so many! His kindness and loving heart will be missed. Susan, Lisa, Chase, and Clay you are in my prayers
Susan and family, I am sorry for your loss. I just said a prayer for your family as you go through the next few days, weeks, months without your beloved Jesse.
We miss him so much I pray for him
Jess watched me grow up from a wild young teenager to the man I am today. He may not of realized it but he had a hand in the making of what I’ve become. Have always looked up to Mr. Jess and very thankful for the friendship we were able to share. For him and Susan to love and treat me like one of their own; is one thing I’ll always be grateful for. Jess, you’ll always be in my heart and thankful for the impact you put on my life. This isn’t goodbye but I’ll see you again one day.
Susan, I am so sorry to hear about Jess. I will be praying for God’s love and His hand of mercy to cover you in these hard days ahead.
I am so saddened to learn of Jess’s passing. He was a former coworker and a great friend. It was always a good day when I had the privilege of running into Jess somewhere in town unexpectedly. I will be praying for his family and his many friends who will dearly miss such a precious person.
Calling you my friend was an honor and an exercise in love, laughter, and lunch. We all love you, Mr. Monkey. We simply couldn’t help it. Nobody can make us laugh like you did.
So very sorry for your loss! Prayers for all of you.
Jess was a good man. I always enjoyed seeing him and Susan together. Especially when he’d break out his guitar. Rest well.
Susan, Maddie and I are so sorry to hear about Jess. You and your family will be in our prayers!
We are so sorry for your loss! Bless you and your family.
Jess was a special person and loved by all
I’m sorry I did not have the please of knowing Jesse but I I can see now that he was a very special man and was loved by many. Susan, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Condolences to you.
What a precious life, he was so loved, many prayers for Susan and all of those that loved him so in the days ahead.
Our hearts go out to you and your family ! Jess was a beautiful soul. What a wonderful day it was when you guys met and married! Rest in the comfort of Gods loving arms and know you will see him again … for an eternity.
I am so sorry Susan. Jess was such a special person. We will be praying for you.
Thinking of you Susan and your family.
My thoughts and prayers are with you!!
Susan, I am so sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.
Jess will forever be missed for his sense of humor and kind spirit. May God’s peace be with you all.
Thoughts & prayers for the family & especially dear Susan. What a special blessing of friendship & marriage you all enjoyed for a little while. You will meet again💜
Jess was one of the friendliest people that I’ve known! He was a true friend and a great man. My prayers are with his family.
Susan, we are so very sorry for your loss. May God give you comfort and peace.
Kathy and Ed McClure
Mark, I am so sorry. Prayers to your family at this time.
Such an awesome guy! My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Such a wonderful man. We feel blessed to have known him. Praying for his family.
Jess was a Great Stepbrother and also a good friend. We were able to share many stories and some great memories even from a distance. He always made me feel very comfortable when I visited my Dad and his Mother Much Love to Susan and the rest of his Wonderful Family.
Jess was an exceptional person. He always had a smile on his face and a kind word for everyone . My thoughts and prayers are with his family🙏🏻🙏🏻.
Jess was one of a kind person. He was kind ,giving, as well as extremely talented. He was madly in love with Susan and her children. They were a perfect match. Jess will be extremely missed. With all our love and prayers.
Susan and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers. I am sending my love to each of you also.
There was not a nicer man on this earth than Jesse – the second description would be calm. I worked alongside him for many programs in Ida Waldran on UCA’s campus and the evenings always flew by with his sense of humor, calm in the chaos, and helpfulness — Jesse always made himself available to assist in any way he could. Over the years it was a pleasure to run into him and catch up with his life. I will miss him. I am grateful part of my life’s journey included Jesse. What a blessing to all who knew him, Prayers are being said for Susan and the family May God provide peace and comfort to you. Please know you had an angel in the midst of your family.
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