He was born in Fannin County, Texas, graduated from Texas A&M University, and served in the US Army prior to moving to Huntsville in 1960. In the course of his career as a mechanical engineer, he worked for NASA and Boeing, completed a Master's degree at UT Knoxville, and retired from Lockheed Martin in 2000.

His wife, Anne Atkinson Welch, preceded him in death in 2003.

He is survived by his son Thomas Welch of Los Angeles and daughter Laura Welch of Athens, Georgia and by four grandsons, Will Frame, John Porter Gilley, Thomas Gilley, and Samuel Gilley, all of Georgia.

The family's deepest gratitude goes to Dr. Jason Smith of Huntsville and the health care providers at Arbor Terrace of Athens, Georgia.

Due to the Covid risk, no services are planned but contributions in his memory to his favorite causes of local public radio or the welfare of animals would be welcomed.

Bernstein Funeral Home, www.bernsteinfuneralhome.com, is in charge of funeral arrangements.