"Those we have held in our arms for a little while we hold in our hearts forever".....I will be forever blessed that Mike graced my life with his undeniable spirit and love for God.   Mike and Tina were the example of pure love;  a true love story that we do not see everywhere.   He was always able to make everyone laugh and his smile is now a permanent fixture in my memory.  Mike was a great father to my daughter Jamie, and a father that she truly adored with all of her heart.  The stories others have told are not exaggerations.  Mike was pure happiness, even through his illness.  I told him on several occasions, "God broke the mold when he made you".......I will love you forever Mike, rest in peace.   

My first memory of Mike is when we went to science Olympiad in Orlando. He and Manuel were helping Garrett and Jace with their egg drop and the helicopter project.   I think they were just as excited about the 2 project as the kids were.    

My second memory is Mike’s awesome Halloween haunted house and Manuel and Jace had fun being part of the scaring.   

My last but not least was at the baseball games. Watching the kids play and talking about everything and nothing.   Mike was ALWAYS full of life even when he wasn’t filling his best.    


My first thought when Mike is mentioned is his smile, which would truly light up a room.  My favorite memory is from when the boys were in elementary school.  Beau knew Garrett but I did not know Tina and Mike well.  Garrett and Mike created the best haunted path through the back yard and all over the front of the house.  Beau did his usual Halloween at our house then wanted to go to Garrett’s house.  By this time it was almost 9.  He assured me  Garrett said he could come over late.  When we arrived Garrett and Mike were outside and everyone had left.  But Mike, as I learned over the years that I had the pleasure of knowing him,  had the biggest heart and did not want to disappoint Beau.  So just the two of them set everything up and we went through.  We had the best time.  It’s really the way he lived his life- if he could do something for you then all you had to do is ask.   

Uncle Mike 
I remember the first time I met you and Nana I was so terrified that you and Nana wouldn't accept me in your family but I was wrong you are welcome me in like I was already part of your family and never treated me different you all showed me what a family really is all about and I love you all for that I learned a lot from you in the 91/2-10 years I have known you I thank you for everything you have taught me and the wisdom to go along with it and that time we went to the shooting range that was one of the best times I've ever had you show me how to shoot a rifle that day just about every time I was over you tried to teach me something and if you never watched a movie with uncle Mike then your missing out he makes the movie that much better one of the funniest guys I ever met  I love you Charles Michael Welch you will truly be missed

Uncle Mike (dad) ...
You were my every childhood memory , you were every Disney classic on the couch , every blanket - cardboard , or tree fort , you were my Santa , The bucking bull when we played rodeo, the fishing trips , that one time you magically called the dolphin over to me is a day I'll never forget & Elvis will never sound the same without you breaking into full song like you're on a stage no one else could see... 
 My memories with you could go on forever ,  I've screamed & prayed , cried & cussed wishing that they could of.... I've never pictured my life without you in it , you were my life coach... My Father figure ... The only one I ever really had .. The only dad I've ever wanted... I've never felt so frozen with so much still to say ,   with no more time left to say it . I tried to block it all out & not think about the end ... & then it just creeped  up on me so fast. I couldnt help but think we were helping save you & get you better ... But I hope you knew I was there , I hope near the end you heard my voice & my last goodbye ....  every single second I had to spend away from you tore me apart , every time my phone rang I couldnt feel myself breathe . 
  I was wearing your "Gas monkey garage"shirt , surrounded by our pictures , as I made song lists & tried to figure out what to wear when the time came
 My life is forever changed.
 I can't believe this is happened to us .... 
I still can't believe this happened to you ..
The Greatest man I've ever known .
Your energy was so strong ..
I believe your spirit will live forever .
I love you so much ..

Tina, words cannot express how deeply sorry we are...please know that we are here for you..for anything...if you need an escape...want to talk....need an errand handled...anything...we love you and are here...we loved Mike dearly, as we do you and the boys💓💕Our hearts and prayers go out to you guys...much love....

So sorry Tina.  You and Mike are such a testimony of Love for each other and Love of God. He was such a special person and touched so many lives. Doug considered him his brother and has always said how much he loved and admired him.  We will continue to hold you and family in our prayers.

Tina;  
Mike was one of the kindest people I have ever known. He had a light around him that automatically made you feel better. I can’t explain it exactly, but I know he truly impacted everyone’s lives for the better with his spirit. I was always so in awe of how he lived his life with such a positive attitude, no matter what he was going through. He was truly special. ❤️❤️❤️

Tina, my mother and I have Mike and your family in our thoughts and prayers. He was just as much of a father to me growing up as my own. I know he’s looking down on your family. ❤️.  Please let us know if there’s anything we can do for you.

I don’t know what time Mike passed, but it is funny, as I walked into Essrig. I turned around to look at the street and thought about him half way hanging out of his truck yelling at me with the giant infectious smile.  Sending so much love to you and your family. ❤️. He was a special, special man who made others feel special!

I saw his obituary in the paper.  I was so shocked and saddened.  You wrote the most beautiful words to describe his life.  My heart just breaks for you and your boys.  I can't even imagine your heartache.  I can't remember a Tina without a Mike.  A true love story.  I looked at all the pictures.  I remember rocker Mike with his long blonde hair, always making us laugh!  I sure miss those younger days.  Wow, an amazing testament to a wonderful, beautiful man.  I'm so sorry I was not able to make it.  Please know I'm thinking of you..  And if there is anything I can ever do for you or your boys, please let me know.  What a loving caring family.  I’m  praying for you Tina.

Tina,
I am so sorry to hear that Mike has passed.  His love for his family was so apparent and it was a pleasure to get to know you both over the past couple years.  I remember Olivia telling me once that Garrett was the kind of guy that you marry and spend your life with, that he will make a wonderful husband and father.   I feel like that is something one learns by living it and seeing true love every day.  Your boys are honest and loyal and loving, and they learned it from watching you and Mike.  What a beautiful love story you shared… such a blessing.  All my love to you and your family.  ~Amy

I don’t know how to live or breathe without you.  I never saw it coming even though I knew it was going to happen.  I wasn’t ready.  I’m in the deepest, saddest and hardest part of my life and it’s too late to get ready.  I’m sorry I closed my eyes and you slipped away during those short 19 minutes.  I hope you knew I was their holding your hand and resting on your chest.  I told you everything except what I didn't get a chance to tell you.  My grief will never end because our beautiful love story wasn’t supposed to turn out this way. I guess sometimes things happen and we just don’t get to know why..  One single day can change a life forever.  I am Tina Welch.  I am your widow.  And my life changed forever in one single day.  I love and miss you with everything I have, with all that I am - and I still don’t know how to live or breathe without you


He will never be forgotten.   My family has also been blessed to have had Mike in our lives and for that we are forever greatfull. Mike was so  much more than just a friend for more than 30 years! He was my go - to - guy. The Uncle figure to my children, great friend, cake taster to my wife, second son to my mother, and just a really great guy to the rest of my family. Mike and I worked on many side projects together, and I must tell you. He was not only the hardest  working man I knew, but he was very well rounded with useful knowledge and ability. I absolutely loved working with him, that's where we spent a lot our time together. I will miss him dearly. Now I'm surrounded by "Mike Welch project treasures"  that we have worked on all around my home, work place, vehicle, trailer, the  list goes on and on. After sitting down to write this, I had to write out that  list of all the things that Mike, and Tina have helped us with though out the years, the list was much larger than expected, for just a friend . I am forever greatfull to be a part of your lives and for the above and beyond family treatment that I have always felt. I'm also thankful for the time we were able to share and that  I was able to let Mike know just how much he was appreciated, and how much he meant to me, and my family.
I have recently gotten the privilege to work with both of Mike and Tina's sons Dekoda , and Garret. Just as you might expect, those apples didn't fall far from their tree. Two young men that I know Mike was so very proud of, and I can see why, they're smart ,good looking respectable  young men. It's easy to see Mike and Tina have been invested parents with a whole Lot of love.
   


It was many, many years ago when I knew Mike. We lived on the same street when he was a young boy. I was friends with his sister, Carolyn. I remember even as a young man he was funny, and just goofy, but lovable and thoughtful. He was always annoying Carolyn and I. Always playing jokes on us. I am so sorry for the family's loss. Even though I did not know him as a grown man, I can see by the family pictures that he grew up to be an amazing man.  My thoughts are with his beautiful family. Wow, just beautiful. I am thinking of you, Carolyn, and your mom. I hope and pray that you can hold these beautiful memories  and they will carry you through and on.  I never met Mike's wife and children, may God hold you tight in His arms, as I know Mike is.

Heidi Barrow Taylor                                                                                                        

I came to know Mike Welch as the father of my student, Garrett. Garrett spoke of memorable hunting trips with his DAD. When Garrett became a part of the Science Olympiad team at Ben Hill Middle School, Mike Welch came after the school day to give his time and smiles and laughter to the endeavors of the entire Science Olympiad team. So many hours of extra support helped the Science Olympiad team achieve great things. Thank you Garrett for sharing   your amazing DAD with all of us. I was lucky enough to know him as a great father to Garrett and a GIVER of himself to others for the greater good. 
Mike Welch, father, husband, son, uncle, friend, and my colleague in helping my students reach goals, will live forever in the hearts of those he touched. It is not often we are lucky enough to know someone so special.
My LOVE to Garrett & Tina, and the entire Welch family.

I’m writing this in behalf of Mike’s Mother In Law (Tina’s Mom), Julie,  who shared these memories of Mike this past Saturday.   Julie has dimentia now, and has a difficult time remembering names and faces.  Funny, this past weekend, she was able to remember everything about Mike.  Mike was her “handsome boyfriend” who just so happened to share a first name with her husband.  A photo of a smiling Mike is on her phone screen.  She will flip open her old fashioned phone and marvel about handsome Mike.  She told of her trip to Florida 3 or so years ago, when she rushed to the ICU with the rest of the family, not sure if Mike would make it through the night.  The very first thing Mike said to her when he awoke and saw her was “Julie, thank you so much for allowing me to marry your daughter”.   That’s the kind of man Mike was.  He made an everlasting impression on her, and she thanks you too Mike.  Thank you for all you did for Tina and your boys, and thank you for allowing our mom to have (and clearly remember) such fond memories to cherish.  Xoxo 

The word that always came to mind when I thought about my Uncle Mike: HILARIOUS. He was one of the goofiest  people I’ve ever met, always making me laugh with his jokes and super contagious laughter. There wasn’t a moment with him where I didn’t smile. That word still comes to mind when I think about him, but now I think of another word too: hero!

For the last five years I watched my Uncle Mike fight with courage and bravery. Through all of it, every time he talked to me, he still made me smile with his jokes just as he always did. Even when I visited him in the hospital, he STILL found a way to make me laugh. He fought with everything he had and still smiled along the way. For that, he is forever a hero to me. I’ll never forget his jokes, his laughter, the time we went to the water park at Disney (where he laughed wayyy too hard at me when he picked up a wild lizard and I freaked out), visits to Florida, all of it. I’ll miss him forever. 

Aunt Tina, Garrett, and Dakoda, I love you! <3

Our condolences for The Welch Family. Please if you need anything please call us Garret , sending prays for strength during this hard time. With all our hearts ♥️ Juan Diaz and Family . 

He was truly a second dad too all of us growing up. From crazy pranks to helping you grow as a person with his advice he was truly a wonderful, selfless man. He was always good for a laugh. His infectious smile will be SO missed. I'm truly sorry for your loss. The world is just a little less bright without him. 

We will miss Mike’s laughter, enthusiasm for everyone and everything, and the tremendous love he showed us.  I remember first meeting Mike in Tampa; he was dating my sister Tina and ever the protective sister, I had to check him out.  He adored her, he showered her with love and affection, and I knew instantly he would always take care of her.  Their 35+ year love story is one you see in the movies, no kidding, it was that amazing to witness.  Mike  was always overjoyed at seeing you, and always told it like it was.  Although the last several years took a toll on Mike, he would never let you know that.  He fought like heck.  I don’t like to say he lost his fight or battle with his illness.  He won.  He won when he made it to Garrett’s graduation.   He won when he saw Dakoda launch & develop a solid business plan for work.  He won when he was able to hold Tina’s hand on their anniversary.  I am so very proud of him, and consider myself very blessed to have had him as a brother in law.  Dakoda and Garrett, always know how very proud of you he was, and how much he loved you both.   And Tina, you were everything to him—-just everything.  I will always be here for you; #sisters4life.   I love you all.  

A tremendous loss for everyone who new Mike. He was full of life with infectious positivity. Mike was a child at heart and very kind and gentle with the children. Our kids adored him and looked up to him. You could count on his help at any time  of the day.
He will be truly missed.

There are no words to express the sadness and loss we feel in the passing of one of our best friends and neighbor of over 20 years.  He was there to watch our kids grow up together, play together and just have fun! We had good times just hanging out with neighbors and family and he was a great man to be around and always funny. He was loved by so many and we miss him so much. See you later Mike and we love you 💖

OBITUARY

Charles Michael Welch

October 4, 1964 – August 1, 2018

Blount & Curry Funeral Home-Carrollwood

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