Thomas H. Fetzer Jr

Thomas H. Fetzer, Jr., 84, passed away October 29, 2026, at his home. He had been in declining health for several years after surviving cancer and battling other serious health issues. Tom was born in Shelby, North Carolina on August 21, 1942 to the late Thomas H. Fetzer and Ella G. Fetzer. He graduated from Shelby Senior High School in 1960 and immediately enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp. He served for four years, much of it in Japan and Southeast Asia as an Intelligence Analyst during the early days of the Vietnam conflict.

After being honorably discharged with the rank of Lance Corporal, he attended and graduated from Southern Business College and the North Carolina School of Banking in Chapel Hill. He then embarked on a 45-year career in the banking industry. While working for Atlanta based C&S Bank in Orlando, FL, in 1991, C&S was purchased by North Carolina National Bank, which then became NationsBank. NationsBank brought Tom to their Charlotte headquarters as a computer programmer in the Information Technology Dept., where he would spend the next 25 years.

A career highlight was spending a year and a half in San Francisco supervising the integration of computer systems of BankAmerica and NationsBank. NationsBank’s purchase of BankAmerica in 1998 resulted in the formation of Bank of America, from which Tom retired in 2015 as a VP of Information Technology.

After retirement he moved to Jamestown, NC, to be closer to family. He traveled extensively before and after retirement, especially enjoying his numerous trips to London where he had made friends through his banking connections. He also relished the trips he took with his grandchildren over the years. He was a voracious reader and at one time had a small library of over 600 books. A UNC athletics and Carolina Panthers fan, he attended many games and especially enjoyed taking family to Panthers games where they had access to the BofA Silver Club Lounges. Some of his most cherished memories were of extended family trips taken to the North Myrtle beaches beginning in the early 1950’s and continuing for nearly 60 years. Tom lived a productive and fulfilling life and will be truly missed by many family and friends.

Tom is survived by his only child, son Thomas H. Fetzer, III and wife Jenny Beckett-Fetzer of High Point, NC, and two grandchildren, Natalie F. Katsaros and husband Jason Katsaros, and Ryan Fetzer. He was extremely proud and grateful to have seen both grandchildren graduate from college, start promising careers and attend Natalie’s wedding. He is also survived by brothers Daniel Fetzer (Kathy) and Timothy Fetzer (Donna), both of Greensboro, as well as many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by sister Margaret A. Pipes and husband Richard, and brother Charles H. Fetzer and wife Ellen.

At Tom’s request, there will be no formal funeral service. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

Hanes-Lineberry Sedgefield Chapel is honored to serve the Fetzer family.