Ray "Bro" Irwin Welburn Jr.

Ray “Bro” Irwin Welburn Jr., age 80 of Albion passed away on Thursday, February 2, 2023 at Ascension Borgess in Kalamazoo. He was born December 7, 1942 in Jefferson City, Missouri the son of Ray Irwin and Gladys Ragene (Schreimann) Welburn, Sr. and they precede him in death. He is also preceded in death by brother, George Welburn and sister, April McGeorge.

Bro served our country honorably in the Army National Guard and was employed at the Jackson Prison for 25 years. He was a Mason and a member of the American Legion. On June 12, 1976, he was united in marriage to Helen Cascarelli in Homer, MI and she survives. In addition to his loving wife of 46 years, Bro also leaves his sister, Patti Tautkus (Dennis), children: Gina Pritchard (Sherry), Jennifer Johnson (Steve), James Pritchard (Karma), Timothy Pritchard (Jen); Grandchildren: Timothy Johnson, Olivia Johnson, Nicholas Johnson, Lucas Johnson, Cortney Matherne (Kye), James “Bo” Pritchard, Amelia Pritchard, Arlo Pritchard, Allix Hutchison; 1 great-granddaughter, Giana Kay Johnson, special niece, Jade Tautkus and many other nieces, nephews and extended family and friends.

Bro was a dedicated husband, father and grandpa who utterly adored his family, especially his wife and grandkids. He was also very social, loved to visit and never, ever met a stranger. He was an avid fisherman, hunter, reader, loved the outdoors and watching football, always cheering for his Green Bay Packers. He enjoyed his time at Duck Lake as well as his cottage Up North and loved watching Westerns, especially Gunsmoke and Gold Rush. To know Bro was to love him. He will be lovingly remembered and cherished in the hearts of his family and his many friends.

A memorial service to celebrate Bro’s life will be held on Monday, February 13, 2023 with visitation at 11AM until the time of service at 1PM at J. Kevin Tidd Funeral Home, 811 Finley Dr, Albion, MI. followed by a Military Honor Service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital or Shriners Hospitals for Children.

To leave online messages of condolence, please visit www.kevintiddfuneralhome.com