Jerry R. Welch

Jerry R. Welch, a longtime resident of Lake Worth, died Thursday, August 9, 2018, at his home surrounded by family.

Service: 3:00 P.M., Tuesday, August 14, 2018 at First Baptist Church of Lakeside, 8801 Jacksboro Hwy, Lakeside, Texas 76135.

Interment: Greenwood Memorial Park, Fort Worth.

Visitation: 6 to 8 p.m. Monday, August 13, at Biggers Funeral Home.

Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Texas Retired Teachers Foundation, 313 East 12th St. Suite 200, Austin, TX 78701-1957 and the FWISD Education Foundation, 4455 Camp Bowie Blvd, Suite 114PMB149, Fort Worth, TX 76107 note: Karen Welch Scholarship Fund.

Jerry was born October 22, 1938 in Paris, Texas to Orvis and Mary Katherine Vickers Welch. His love of baseball began early as he played in any pickup or organized game he could. At age 12, his family moved to Fort Worth where he continued his love of the game throughout school. He graduated from Northside High School in 1957 and attended Tarleton College before completing his degree at Texas Christian University. He later earned his Masters in Education from North Texas State University as he served many Fort Worth ISD students as a coach, teacher, counselor, and assistant principal at many campuses including, J.P. Elder Junior High and Northside High Schools. He went on to serve Fort Worth ISD in other roles including, Physical Education Consultant, Director of Facilities Improvement Programs, and General Director of Operations before completing his career in White Settlement ISD, where he served as Deputy Superintendent until his retirement in 1994. He also served as a reservist in the 20th Medical Service Squadron of the US Air Force until his retirement in 1983.

Jerry married Karen Cox, an educator herself, at the First United Methodist Church of Alvarado in 1962 where her father was the minister. They lived happily in Lake Worth for many years serving youth and community together and raising two sons, Russ and Robb. After Karen’s passing in 2003, Jerry continued to share his love for family, friends, neighbors, ex-students, and coworkers through continuing his participation in the Good Old Boys (GOB) Group of Fort Worth, White Settlement Retired School Employees Association, Boat Club Estates Neighborhood Annual Party and Reunion, Northside High School Legacy Foundation, and USAF 20th MSS Reunions.

In 2007, Jerry and Brenda married, joining two loving families as one. In their time together, Jerry and Brenda continued their lifestyle through participation in associations, working in their yard, travelling on road trips, and spending time with all of their grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Karen Cox Welch and by his parents, Orvis and Mary Welch.

Survivors: His Wife, Brenda Welch of Fort Worth; sons, Russ Welch and wife, Susan, and Robb Welch and wife, Jinnifer of Fort Worth, Dr. Greg Roberts and wife, Ellen of Austin, Darrin Roberts and wife, Jill of Fort Worth; sister, Barbara Alvey of Fort Worth; brothers-in-law, Adrian Cox and wife, Sherry of Azle, Paul Cox and wife, Betty and Jerry Cox and wife, Marti of Fort Worth; grandchildren, Reagan, Renae, Rhett, and Maxx Welch, and Katie Johns of Fort Worth, Elise Haley of Arlington, Lizzie and Bryce Anthony of Fort Worth; numerous nieces, nephews, and other family and friends.