Described by some as a man with a “scholarly mind and a pastor’s heart,” Rev. Welkley passed away on December 26, 2020, as an inpatient at Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, in Jacksonville, following a three-month struggle with an “acute, extremely severe, medically complex” illness. Having begun his preaching career at the age of 14 years, Lee Welkley, as a high school senior, first pastored a small rural church 60 miles south of Rochester, NY. He was ordained to Christian ministry in the Penfield NY Advent Christian Church, on July 10, 1962. He is a graduate of Berkshire Christian College (1962), and also attended Aurora College, as well as two seminaries in Chicago.
Rev. Welkley’s ministry and community involvement touched countless lives as he served Advent Christian churches in Danbury & New Milford, CT; Chicago, IL; Waterville, ME; and most recently, New Life Community Church, in the Springfield area of Jacksonville, FL, from which he retired after 54 years of ministry. His insightfulness, compassion, and sensitivity to the disadvantaged and underserved urban populations has enhanced the impact of the organizations in which he also served in varying capacities, including: Board of Trustees (1970 – 1989) and President (1989-2015) of Berkshire Christian College over a period of 45 years; President of the Advent Christian Central Region (1972 - 77); President of the Prairie States Conference (1969 - 1971); Maine State Conference Executive Committee (1978 - 1980); Vice President of the Advent Christian Eastern Regional Association (1981 - 1982); Camp Bethel Presiding Elder (35 years) and Bible Study teacher for 37 years; Advent Christian General Conference (ACGC) Urban Ministries Consultant; as well as serving as a member of various community organizations -- Mayo Clinic Community Research Advisory Board (CRAB); University of Florida College of Medicine JAX-ASCENT Community Advisory Board; and the Gordon Conwell Theological Seminary, Jacksonville Campus Board of Advisors.
Rev. Welkley is survived by his wife of 58 years, Caroline (Frost) Welkley; his brother, Jack
(spouse Carol) Welkley of San Jose CA; and, three children – Gerald (spouse Stacy) Welkley of Pensacola FL, Debra Welkley of Sacramento CA, Heidi Kalam (spouse Rafiul) of Lake Worth FL; five grandchildren – Jacob Welkley (spouse Rachel) of Clarksville TN, Brittany (spouse Jeremy) England of Murfreesboro TN, Abigail Welkley of Murfreesboro TN, Sean Kalam and Emily Kalam of Lake Worth FL; and three great-grandchildren – Paisley Welkley, Evan and Brooklyn Welkley; as well as 5 nieces and nephews located in California and New York State.
Graveside Service January 23, 2021, 11:30am ET @ Advent Christian Village, Bixler Memorial Gardens East, Gravesite K17, 11075 County Road 136, Dowling Park, FL
*Due to recent Covid Restrictions graveside attendance will be immedIate family only.
Tribute Memorial Service January 23, 2021 4pm ET via Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82225924866
Zoom Meeting ID: 822 2592 4866
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to:
Community Hospice & Palliative Care of Northeast FL - 4266 Sunbeam Road, Jacksonville, FL 32257
Lucy Myers (Lee Welkley) Urban Ministries Fund - Checks to be made out to Raymond James with “Lucy Myers Urban Ministries Fund” in the memo line.
Mail to: Raymond James
C/O Lucy Myers Urban Ministries Fund
245 Riverside Ave., STE 500
Jacksonville FL 32202
Hendricks Avenue Baptist Church - 4001 Hendricks Ave., Jacksonville, FL 32207
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