Roger Leroy Welch

Roger Welch, 81, of Olathe, KS passed away Saturday, March 26, 2016. Visitation will be held 10:00-11:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 30 funeral service immediately following at Mount Moriah, Newcomer and Freeman Funeral Home, 10507 Holmes Rd., Kansas City, MO 64131. Royal Order of Jesters Court 54 Rose Ceremony to follow service. Entombment at Faith Mausoleum in Mt. Moriah Cemetery.

Roger was born in Clifton Hill, Missouri to Greta and Arthur Welch on April 26, 1934. His early years were spent in Robeline, Louisiana. In 1942 his family moved to Kansas City. He graduated from Northeast High School in 1952 where he had a column in the school newspaper called “Welch Ditties” and was a member of both the Debater Literary Society and the A Cappella Choir. It was there he met the love of his life, Ethel Harden. They were married on June 6, 1953 and had 62 happy years together. He was employed by Burns & McDonnell Engineering and retired as Vice President of Associated Mechanical in 2006.

Roger was a special husband, father, and grandfather who loved his family and sharing the lives of his children and grandchildren. He was a very social person who made friends well and kept them all his life. He especially enjoyed fishing with his “buddies” and his family. He loved history and traveling. When on auto trips, he would make the girls wake up and see all the “historical” markers. He was President of the Hawthorn Terrace Home Association for two terms, a Board Member of Hillcrest Country Club for 3 years, where he met many treasured friends, and a proud member of the Ararat Shrine and Jesters Court 54.

Roger was preceded in death by his parents, sister, Betty Robinson and brother, Gary Welch.

He is survived by his wife, Ethel, his daughters Debbie Newhouse (Lou) and Lisa Kremer (Ken), grandchildren Blayne Gilbert, Justin Gilbert (Jessica), Eric Pierson (Megan), Nicholas Pierson, Allison Kremer, Cody Kremer, great-grandchildren Emery Pierson and Cohen Gilbert, brother, Kenny Welch (Carolyn) and numerous nephews and nieces.

The family would like to thank Ray Imre for all the years he spent transporting Roger to his dialysis treatments. When asking Roger if Ray was a good driver, he said “I’ve seen better!” Thank you again Ray.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Ararat Shrine Children’s Hospital, Ararat Shrine, 5100 Ararat Dr., Kansas City, MO 64129. Online condolences may be given at www.mtmoriah.net