James Welch

Mr. James O. Welch, 89 of Texas City, went to be with the Lord Sunday, December 13, 2015 at Corner Stone Hospital.

Funeral services will be held 10:00 AM, Friday, December 18, at Emken-Linton Funeral Home in Texas City, with Bernice Fleming officiating. Burial will follow at Forest Park East Cemetery in Webster. The family will receive visitors at the funeral home 5:00 to 7:00 PM, Thursday evening, December 17, 2015.

Mr. Welch was born on a farm in Rusk County near Henderson, Texas. Mr. Welch lived in Texas City for 68 years and worked at Amoco Oil Refinery for 38 years, and was a Process Supervisor at the Ammonia Plants and later the Coke Yard Supervisor at the Coking Units. He retired January 1985. Mr. Welch enlisted in the Navy during World War II and proudly served his country on the aircraft carrier USS Boxer, receiving two commendations for service in the Pacific Campaign against the Japanese. He was present in Tokyo Bay witnessing the signing of surrender by the Japanese.

After the war he met a farm girl from Paris, Texas named Mary Jean Finn. The romance flourished and they married July 23, 1949 and enjoyed 57 loving years of marriage. Mr. Welch was a strong family man, working hard to provide for his wife and children. He thoroughly enjoyed family gatherings and the home cooked meals, the conversation and singing that accompanied the gatherings. His love for country music took him to Branson, Missouri, yearly for many years to enjoy the numerous country music shows. Mr. Welch enjoyed traveling all across the United States visiting numerous State and U.S. National Parks and included travel to Alaska, Hawaii. Canada and Europe.

The Welch Family would like to thank Irma Rios and her staff for the loving care given to him the past two years as his health declined and need for assistance. He enjoyed their company, conversation, and the many cookies they had together.

Mr. Welch is preceded in death by his parents, Benjamin Oren Welch and Blanche Jackson Welch; wife, Mary Jean Welch; brothers, Benford Welch, Turner Welch, and Howard Welch; sisters, Alera Welch, Mardell Welch Mallard, and Lucy Welch Hale. Survivors include; sons Michael O. Welch and wife Cheryl, Van A. Welch and wife Marsha; grandchildren April March, Christopher Welch and wife Melissa, Amanda Welch, Austin Welch, and Meredith Welch; great-grandchildren Cheyenne Bowers, Kaylee Welch, Cristian Melendez, Orlando Melendez and Iliana Melendez; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and friends.

Pallbearers are Johnny Hart, Ray Brannon, Jerry Fleischman, Bill Lloyd, Richard Taylor and Harold Silberisen

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