Noah "Jug" Welch

Noah Welch, or Jug to his family and friends, was born on July 13th, 1943 in Lost City, OK, the son of Martin and Esther (Smith) Welch. He grew up in a home where Cherokee was spoken as a first language, with four brothers and two sisters, Charlie, Key, Spade, Jimmy, Anna, and Verlita. He attended school at Lost City through the eighth grade. Jug received his call to serve his country during the Vietnam War and proudly served from 1967 until his honorable discharge in 1973. When he had served his country, he returned to northeastern Oklahoma and started his career as a small engine automotive mechanic. He married Mary Sue (Sugar) welch and together they raised a son, Scott Sapulpa. When he wasn’t working, he loved stock car races, anything to do with NASCAR, couldn’t get enough of OU Football, and any excuse to spend time with his grandchildren. He was kind, and generous with his time and talents. He never asked for anything for himself, yet went out of his way to show people how much he cared. He was proud of the United States and was even more proud of his service to this wonderful country. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and uncle. A Christian by faith, he attended the Keener Baptist Church. He loved his neighbors, his community, and his life. It was just the way he liked it, simple, uncomplicated, and filled with the people that made him the happiest. Jug passed from this life on January 14th, 2022 in Tulsa, OK. He was 78 years old and will be greatly missed.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents, his beloved wife, Mary Sue Welch, his mother and father, and two brothers, Charlie and Key Welch.

Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Scott Sapulpa of Muskogee, OK. He also leaves his brothers and sisters, Spade Welch and Jimmy Welch both of Lost City, OK, Anna Dale and husband Steven of Hulbert, OK, and Verlita Sugar and husband Chris of Tahlequah, OK. He leaves three grandchildren, Cannon Sapulpa of Muskogee, Sydney Sapulpa of Muskogee, and Scout Sapulpa of Ft. Gibson, OK. He also leaves many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends and loved ones too numerous to mention.

Funeral services for Noah “Jug” Welch will be held on Friday, January 21st, 2022, at 10:00 AM at Reed-Culver Chapel with Brother Sam Keener officiating. His family will receive visitors on Thursday, January 20th, 2022 from 2:00 Pm until 6:00 Pm at Reed-Culver Chapel. He will be laid to rest at Keener Cemetery. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.reedculver.com.

Pallbearers for Noah include Ray Welch, Jim Reagan, Anthony Hunnicutt, Sammy Allen, Larry Shade, and Bobby Russell.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.reedculver.com for the Welch family.