John Patrick Welch

John Patrick Welch, also known as “Pat,” was called home by the Lord surrounded by his family on June 11, 2026. He was born on June 24, 1944 in South Gate CA. He was predeceased by his Dad Jack Welch, Mother Katherine Welch (Taormina), and Brother Lawrence Welch (Larry.) He is survived by his wife Sandra Welch (Ridgeway) after 62 years of marriage, daughter Ambra Welch (Quintanilla), son Sean Welch, daughter Merris Washington (Welch), daughter in law Rachel Quintanilla (Welch), son-in-law Ricco Washington, and grandson Carson Washington.

He moved around in his early years as his Dad Jack, ran the beaches for the California State Parks up and down the coast of California. He had many fond memories with family and friends as they lived in Borrego CA, Pacific Palisades CA (Will Rogers), and Huntington Beach CA. He treasured these places and enjoyed telling stories of his young life. He had an exceptional memory and often told many stories: such as hitchhiking as a boy in Borrego CA just to get to school in Julian CA; his 1957 Boy Scout Jamboree cross country trip; riding all the way up Sunset Boulevard just outside Will Rogers, very narrowly avoiding the many cars daily just to get to school; catching snakes with his brother Larry; later riding his Indian motorcycle to school; and his time as an altar boy in the Catholic Church. He remained close friends with many throughout his lifetime.

As a Freshman, he attended Julian High School in Julian CA, and then transferred to Huntington Beach High School in Huntington Beach CA where his family moved. They lived on the beach while his Dad ran the State Park. He was very active at both Julian High School and Huntington Beach High School in ASB, basketball, football, and track and field. He graduated from Huntington Beach High School in 1962.

After graduating from high school, he attended Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa CA. He took photography classes and worked at a photography shop in Newport Beach CA. He loved photography with an exceptional eye as a landscape photographer. He then attended and graduated with a BA in Political Science from California State University Long Beach in Long Beach CA.

He met Sandra Ridgeway, a rival Westminster High School High School student, at a dance at Memorial Hall in Huntington Beach CA in 1961. They began dating and married on August 1, 1964 at Waverly Chapel in Santa Ana CA. He worked as a California State Park Ranger, and they briefly lived at Fort Tejon State Historic Park in Fort Tajon CA. Ambra was born in 1966. Shortly thereafter, they moved back to Huntington Beach CA where he became a Marshal for the Orange County Marshal’s Office, and worked as a Sergeant for 10 years. He also served as President for the Orange County Marshal’s Association. Sean was born in 1968. While with the Orange County Marshal’s Office the family moved to Santa Ana CA while he attended law school. Merris was born in 1970. He graduated from Western State University College of Law in Fullerton CA in 1976. After passing the California State Bar just after graduating in 1976, he then practiced as an attorney for over 50 years mostly in Workers Compensation. He recently retired from running his law firm. In 1979, he and his family moved to Irvine CA where his kids attended Irvine High School in Irvine CA. He served for a period of time as President of the Irvine High School Boosters Club. He was most instrumental in facilitating girls sports at the high school. In 1991, he and the family moved to the beach house in San Clemente CA where they really enjoyed many great years on the beach in the Spanish Village by the Sea. He also spent some of his last years living in Lake Las Vegas NV.

He loved orange slices, the Crab Cooker in Newport Beach CA, Domenico’s Pizza in Belmont Shore CA, and a good Italian meal. He loved trying new restaurants all over the world, the little family dogs, and always travel. He thoroughly enjoyed traveling with family extensively, domestically, and throughout Europe, and many countries including Ireland, Barbados, Morocco, Egypt, and the Caribbean to name a few. St. Barth’s was always a great trip on order. In 1984, during the Olympic Games in Los Angeles CA, he bought a VW van for the family to drive across the country to New York NY and back. The family trip was noted as the Official Family Vacation resembling the official Olympic moniker with many fun highlights and impressive misadventures along the way. He loved watching the Los Angeles Lakers, Los Angeles Dodgers, UCLA, USC, and especially the Los Angeles Rams. He was quite passionate during Rams games as it was his time NOT to be interrupted. We are thankful he never wore a Rams watermelon hat. His passion for sports carried over into his kids many sports teams. He always enjoyed using his many different cameras to get the best pictures.

His exceptional intellect, funny quips, and tremendous generosity will never be forgotten. He loved life and enjoyed spending time with family and close friends. He is already dearly missed by those who loved him, and believe his time on Earth was too short; however, we find comfort in knowing he’ll be able to watch the Los Angeles Rams in peace without interruption. Thankfully, the Lord is with him to help console him through all the games.