Kelly R. Schrader

Lt. Col. Kelly Randolph Schrader, Jr, age 69, died suddenly Friday, April 26, 2019. Born May 2, 1949 in Pulaski, VA, the son of Lorena Phibbs and Kelly Randolph Schrader, Sr., he attended local schools. Kelly served in the USAF during the Vietnam era and earned the rank of Sergeant. He also served at McEntire ANG Base near Columbia, SC, for several years serving as McEntire ANG Historian. He graduated with honors in 1980 from the University of South Carolina, earning his BA in History. He also received his Master’s Degree from USC. A proud USC Alumni Association member, Lt. Col. Schrader was a history teacher at Camden Military Academy (CMA) for 39 years, having also served as Academic Dean from 1986 through 2003. He lived on campus at Camden Military Academy with his family for 33 years before moving to Lexington, SC in 2014. He served as Assistant Commandant in 1983. He restarted the Debate Team in 1980 as coach and, during his tenure, they won 3 Class A State Championships. They had a long streak of always winning at least one first place trophy in some event at every tournament. This was a source of great pride for Kelly, and the debate team cadets were very special to him. He often remarked, "all have gone on to great things". Back in the classroom since 2003, Lt. Col. Schrader taught dual enrollment classes, teaching on a part-time basis (3 classes) since 2013. After 39 years on the job, he was anticipating scaling back to 2 classes in the coming year.

He is survived by his wife of nearly 48 years, Sharon Richardson Schrader, and two children, Susan S. Crowe (Phillip) and K.R. (Randy) Schrader, III (Kristi); 5 grandchildren, Caden Stephen Crowe, Luke Adam Schrader, Molly Claire Schrader, Lucy Quinn Schrader and Heidi Jane Schrader, all of Columbia and Lexington, SC; step-grandsons, Tyler Andreas Crowe of Blythewood, and Johnathan Lee Monts of Charlotte, NC. Also surviving are a brother, James E. Worrell of Lawton, OK and a sister, Keri Schrader Vass of Pulaski, VA; sister-in-law, Hope Richardson Fahey and brother-in-law, Andy Pronko, of North Myrtle Beach, SC, and Florence, AZ, and a very special nephew, Christopher Richardson Fahey, of Myrtle Beach, SC, for whom he was a special father figure all his life and helped raise. Kelly is also survived by a number of nieces and nephews and a special friend who was always like a brother to him, William P. (Pete) Raykes. And, of course, all of his CMA family.

He had a long and full life although cut short at the end. All of his friends and family expressed having been privileged to have known him and deeply mourn this great loss. Lt. Col. Schrader was a proud lifelong military man and a true patriot. He had plans to continue teaching at CMA again for at least another year.

Kelly had a fun side, too, enjoying the beach by spending much time there for the last 20 years at his condo and backyard pool parties at his home in Lexington with family and friends. Lt. Col. Schrader was a true legend at CMA and embodied what it means to be a teacher and a mentor, as well as role model for many cadets during the 39-year career as well as a loving, involved, fun, and hands-on father to his 2 children and grandchildren, especially to his oldest grandson, Caden Crowe. His family feels very blessed to have had this fine amazing man in their lives. Kelly was many things to many people.

He was a member of Lyttleton Street United Methodist Church in Camden, SC.

A celebration of his life will be at Caughman-Harman Funeral Home, 503 N. Lake Drive, Lexington, SC 29072 on Tuesday evening from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. A memorial service honoring Lt. Col. Schrader will be held at CMA Chapel later. In lieu of flowers, the family of Lt. Col Schrader requests donations in his memory to Camden Military Academy.