Don Setliff

Longtime Builder, Developer and Realtor® Don Setliff, 93, passed away December 7, 2023, at home in High Point, N.C. in his son’s arms.

Don was born in High Point, N.C. to Daniel Richard and Ruth McCain Setliff. Don’s ancestry has been traced back twenty-two generations (to year 1428) in Yorkshire, England and was related to the Tudor dynasty. Don graduated from High Point High School in 1950. After high school, the military came calling as the Korean War had started. Don served in the Navy and the Army for a total of six years. He was honorably discharged from both services. In 1952 he married Colleen McDonald Setliff, also from High Point. They had one son, Donald Kim Setliff, born in 1954.

In 1957 Don started a highly successful career as a builder, land developer, and Realtor® in High Point, Jamestown, and Greensboro NC. He developed or built many prominent subdivisions and homes in these cities including Oak Hollow Estates in High Point, Willow Creek in Davidson County, Cedarwood in Jamestown, and the original buildings at Westchester Country Day School. He constructed over a thousand single-family homes during his 66 years in business.

Don was a member and past president of the Jamestown Jaycees, High Point Regional Association of Realtors®, and the Greensboro Home Builders Association. He was the State Vice-President of the North Carolina Jaycees. Don won numerous awards during his brilliant career, including many home building awards from 1960 until 2008, Realtor® of the Year 1977, Realtor® Hall of Fame, Realtor® Life Member, and Realtor® Emeritus all in 2003, plus many more.

Don had a great passion for cars, and his favorite was the Chevrolet Corvette. He bought, sold, traded, and tinkered with well over a hundred Corvettes since their inception in 1953. He had many corvette enthusiasts as friends, but none better than Denny Clodfelter, Tony Ebert and Gary Sheets.

Don leaves behind one son, Kim Setliff, and daughter-in-law Joy. He had three grandsons: Don (Lydia), Kyle, Riley (Ashlyn), and one great-grandson, Theodore Setliff. He also leaves behind his sisters-in-law, Betty McDonald and Jolene Setliff; nephews, Richard Setliff, Bruce Metcalfe, Jim McDonald; and niece, Sandy Setliff.

Preceding Don death are his sister, Julia Faye Setliff Metcalfe and brother, Darrell Richard Setliff; grandchildren, Dale Marie Setliff and Ryan Robert Setliff; sister-in-law, Betty Setliff; brothers-in-law, Arnold Metcalfe and Curt McDonald; and nephews, Curtis, Mark, and Bill McDonald.

Don’s funeral will be at 11:00 am on Thursday, December 14, 2023, in the High Point Chapel of Wright Funerals-Cremations, 1720 Westchester Drive, High Point, NC 27262.

Following the funeral service, the Setliff family will host family and friends at one of Don’s properties. The reception will be from 12:30 pm to 2:30 pm. Hors d’oeuvre, cocktails, and beach music will be served. Details will be given at the 11:00 am service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be donated to the following: The High Point Regional Association of Realtors Foundation Fund,  in Don’s name 1830 Eastchester Drive, High Point, NC 27265 or Westchester Country Day School, in Don’s name 2045 N Old Greensboro Road, High Point, NC 27265.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.wrightfs.com.

Wright Funerals-Cremations, High Point is in charge of arrangements.