Allan F. Welch

WELCH, ALLAN FOX, age 78, of Old Hickory, on January 13, 2013 after an extended illness. A 1952 graduate of Du Pont High School, Allan completed his undergraduate degree at Middle Tennessee State University, where he served in the Army ROTC and was captain of the golf team. Following active duty in the US Army, Allan earned a masters degree in public health at the University of Minnesota.

Allan completed a career spanning 40 years with E.I. Du Pont de Nemours, serving at the Old Hickory plant and the Cape Fear, N.C. site. At Du Pont, he was among the company's first environmental specialists and helped establish policies and procedures to comply with newly-enacted federal and state laws and regulations. He found great personal satisfaction from enduring relationships with many Du Pont colleagues.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Betty Jo (Hyde) Welch of Wilmington, N.C.; his parents, C. B. "Peck" Welch and Virginia (Fox) Welch of Old Hickory; his sister, Shirley Ruth Welch; his maternal aunts and uncles, Ruth (Fox) McMahon and Horace Lee McMahon, Frances (Fox) Adams and Mike Adams, all of Cornersville; his paternal uncle and aunt, Dewey and Vera Welch, of Columbia; and his sister-in-law, Betty Haralson Welch, of Old Hickory. He is survived by his brother, Thomas H. Welch, of Old Hickory; three children, Lisa Welch Silbar (Jeff) of Studio City, California; Laura Welch Butcher (Todd) of Roswell, Georgia; and Neil Welch of Old Hickory; three grandchildren, Garrett and Natalie Silbar, of Studio City, California, and Christopher "Kip" Butcher, of Roswell, Georgia; four nephews, Paul G. Hyde of Nashville, Scott Welch (Gwen) of Hendersonville, Adam H. Welch (Christy) of Clarksville, and Gregory F. Welch (Cindy) of Franklin; first cousins Jody McMahon and Jimmy McMahon of Cornersville, Glenda McMahon Tate and Nancy McCullough of Lewisburg.

An avid golfer and bird hunter, he enjoyed the company of many friends with whom he shared these pastimes. He was a member of the Old Hickory Country Club and Riverside Golf and had the pleasure of a lifelong friendship with Jimmy Rager and his family.

Allan was a passionate advocate for the historic Old Hickory Village and a lifetime member of the Old Hickory Bunch. His generosity left a positive impact on many organizations and individuals in need.

The Welch family extends sincere appreciation to the dining staff at OHCC and the caring staff at Vanderbilt University Hospital and Alive Hospice of Nashville. The family will receive visitors at the Hermitage Funeral Home on January 18, 2013, from 4 pm to 8 pm. A family graveside service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Allan's memory to the Dr. Betty Jo Hyde Welch Memorial Scholarship at MTSU or Alive Hospice of Nashville.