He was my second commanding officer on the USS Detroit Aoe-4, But he was a great skipper and fine human being he will be missed.

Buddy and my younger brother Vince were best friends.  Buddy came to my wedding in 1951 and he came to my 50th Wedding Anniversary in 2001.  More than fifty years  we have been friends and many of the world's problems were discussed and solved in our conversations.  You never received a yes or no answer from Buddy and I always expected to gain knowledge from his explanations.   With Buddy at Navy and my brother at the University of Texas, you can imagine the stories between those two. Buddy made a lasting impression on all the people he met in life, from his early days  in Houston to the years he made football history for the Navy.   I really miss you, my e-mail friend. 
God bless you Buddy,  you have now joined with the dearest men in my life.  

                    Oma Jean (Matthews) Stevenson                                                       


Buddy was a standout football player during my years at the Academy and for many years at the USNAAA luncheons.. His stories about the Navy and fatherhood were funny and serious. His yearly presentations on Navy football will be sorely missed. May the winds be fair and the seas be calm in the hereafter.

Bob Meyer '60

Buddy was a winner. Not only in the Cotton Bowl, but in everything he did for the Texas Gulf Coast Chapter of the USNAAA.
As the guy responsible for speakers at our chapter luncheons, I penciled in Buddy's name every year for our first fall meeting. His predictions for the upcoming football season were like money in the bank. 
Buddy never lacked confidence, but one time I gave him pause. Our speaker had cancelled at the last moment. We were meeting at Brennan's and had a big crowd. Then I saw Buddy. Could he come up with something? He was taken aback , and said to hive him a couple of minutes. Twenty minutes later he gave a terrific talk on the Barbary pirates. Another top performance by Buddy!

I remember our years together in the 11th Company at the Naval Academy and in the fleet afterwards with great fondness. Buddy Wellborn was a friend and one of those rare men who are seem bigger than life.  He carried that wonderful spirit with him after he retired from the Navy and was a most loyal and dedicated  graduate of the Naval Academy. We will all miss him. 

Buddy Wellborn was, and always will be , Mr. Football for our Gulf Cosst Chapter. 
Buddy and I would often joke about the Aggies since I live in College Station just off Wellborn Road in what once was the the unincorporated town of Wellborn.  We had that in common and he never failed to ask how we were doing. A man with a keen sense of honor and commitment whose smile and stories will be missed. THH

I met Buddy through the USNA Alumni Association (Houston), and he was a friend for 25+ years.  I greatly respected him for his many accomplishments.  He was a “lifelong learner” before that term was invented.  He loved to talk about global politics, seapower, world history, leadership, and football.  I knew him to be an exemplary retired Naval Officer and patriot.

During our alumni dinners, we always reserved the last toast for Buddy.  He would paraphrase the famous toast given by Commodore Stephen Decatur (1816), “Our Country!  May she always be right; but our country, right or wrong!”   We will miss him.   Ed Klein ’72 


Buddy was an active member of our USNA Alumni Association – Texas Gulf Coast Chapter for many years.  He has given us a  “Preview of Navy Football” for the up coming season every September for more than 10 years.  It was always one of the best-attended luncheons with everyone enjoying his predictions for the upcoming season and many colorful stories of Navy football in the past.  I sat with Buddy at many football watch parties and enjoyed his insightful commentary during the games.  Buddy was always asked to give a toast at our dinners because we knew it would always be interesting and well presented.  He will be greatly missed.  Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.  

Rich Bulger ‘69


Buddy's always been a hero in my book.  Throughout our Midshipman days on the football field and in the hall, in his Naval career, and in his post-service life .  God rest his soul!  Tom Solak '60.


Buddy Wellborn was a friend, classmate, leader father figure who set the highest standards.  When I was Class Secretary Buddy was so good to pass on news of classmates and their kin.  He kept us informed.  He was very thoughtful.  We miss him  for sure!   God Bless!  Butter

Nancy and I send our sincere condolences to Buddy's family. We have shared many of his navy football analyses over the years and often visited with him at the home of our family Jim and Peggy Fredericksen in Dickinson.  Jim and I graduated from USNA in 1958 and watched many of the Navy games that Buddy played/starred in.  RIP to a fine man and friend.

Can’t come because of scheduled hospital op. I admired and loved. He was everything  you hope for in a person. Brilliant but humble with an easy grace that lighted up all around him.

For the last 22 years I was able to spend time with captain welborn we would visit at least once a month
We did not speak much but rather I was privileged enough to have a seat and listen to the professor the captain the lecturer  the writer  the father the grandfather the friend.
Those visits have now come to an end I was the lucky one 
Captain welborn  I will miss you dearly
God speed sir

OBITUARY

Raymond B Wellborn

August 13, 1936 – October 23, 2018

Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home

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