Our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Harry Delbert Welker, passed away on Christmas Day, 2018, at the age of 77. He was born on March 21st, 1941, to Harry and Elizabeth Welker in Long Beach, California. After joining the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Honolulu, Hawaii, he served a two and half year mission in the countries of Central America. He graduated from BYU with a B.A. in history and, while earning an MBA at the University of Utah, met “the most exciting woman he’d ever known.” Dell and Cherrie were sealed in the Salt Lake City temple on February 11th, 1971. After working for the L.A. Chamber of Commerce and the UPEA, he was accepted to law school at Golden Gate University in San Francisco. While working at Bechtel Corporation and attending law school in the evenings, he earned a Juris Doctorate on May 29th,1977. Dell was a member of both the California and Utah bar associations. Throughout his life he practiced in both states, settling into a criminal law practice in Salt Lake City. Dell and Cherrie became the parents of five children who robbed them of their solitude but gave them great joy throughout the years.
The gospel of Jesus Christ, in all its purity, was the guiding light of his life. He treated others with respect and dignity and carried with him the spirit of forgiveness at all times. Dell was known for his gentle spirit, kindness, good-nature and selfless service.He viewed those who struggled, and often those he represented, as good people who had temporarily lost their way. Dell celebrated the goodness he saw in everyone.
Dell leaves behind his wife, Cherrie, his five children and their spouses: Ashley and David Pyne, Jessica Welker, Lindsey and Dom Testa, Austin and Jacqueline Welker and Carson and Jillian Tovarek-Welker. Dell is survived also by his sister Sandra O’Malley and many nieces and nephews. Dell and Cherrie are grandparents to twelve: Joshua, Jackson, Connor, Abigail, Ellie, Eleanor, Liam, Christina, Kathryn, Caitlin, Ashley, and little Joshua.
Friends will be received at a viewing Thursday evening, January 3rd from 6:00-8:00pm at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 3401 South Highland Drive. Funeral services will be held at noon on Friday, January 4th in the Willow Creek 6th Ward chapel at 2115 East Sublette Place.
Until we meet again, my love.
