The whole Welch  family, Starting with Jesse Senior, was a very important part of my healing from alcoholism and drug addiction-PTSD after Vietnam. I rode to work with Junior as I didn’t have a car. Jesse senior taught me to hit a nail. 
 And  Roy Don Invited me and my wife  to have dinner with his family out on a ranch in dripping Springs. This was one of the first times I’d  been invited to eat dinner with a “normal”  family since my recovery. What a lovely dinner, what a lovely man.
I’ll forever be grateful  for this families guidance, friendship, and paychecks. 
 Your belief in me was a very important beginning.  Thank you Roy Don, thank you Jesse Sr., thank you Jesse Junior.
John Henry McDonald.



I just want to say thank you to everyone that helped support and take care of Roy, It sure is wounderful to know that Roy was not alone in his battle with cancer. I was woundering how Roy was able to stay so strong through out his sickness. I was reading what Charlotte wrote. Now I realize that Roy had a team of God's angels around him all of the time who suppoted him and took care of his Physical, Spiritual, and Emotional needs. And Debbie stayed with Roy every step of the way. Roy was Blessed to have been surounded by so many caring people. 
 Debbie, Jr, and others willingly put their lives on hold. I pray that God will restore, and increase everything in your lives. Though your jobs as Gods Angels is not finished. May there always be Peace, Joy in your lives.

Roy was diagnosed with an aggressive brain cancer called glioblastoma in January 2009.  After surgery he had weeks of radiation therapy in Kerrville and then followed with chemotherapy. I want to say a special thanks to Buddy Lyons, Roy's friend and brother in law from his first marriage. Buddy helped me care for Roy during that first tough year, even giving up his job to do this as I could not be with Roy daily. (Jr was caring for our Dad at this time)
Roy improved greatly, returned to fairly good health although chemo occurred every 3 weeks.  During this time Roy and Debbie re-ignited their love and friendship and were joined in marriage a short 8 months ago.  Roy soon became more ill, with increasing weakness to his left side and Debbie left her career behind and eventually her home to care for him. Our older brother Jr. went to stay with them to help Debbie care for Roy. August 31st we heard those awful words;  the cancer has returned and is growing rapidly, there is nothing more we can do.  Debbie quickly returned to their home in Valley Mills and packed up their things as I searched for a home locally for them. Within days the three of them came to Bastrop where family was close to help.  I had the wonderful privilege to be with him every evening and weekends and Jr. stayed to help 24/7.  The last days of his life I also was blessed to be his Hospice nurse (and sister), allowing me to be with him 24/7 also.  We loved our brother very much, as children we were all very close and as adults we grew even closer.
Our Dad has been living with me for some time now and I am blessed with a wonderful husband that helped care for him while I was with Roy.
Roy's passing was one of beauty and grace with Debbie never leaving his side. Roy often would mouth a word of a hymn being played or hum to it.
At times Debbie would answer questions to Roy although he could no longer ask them.  She said he asked with his eyes.  He passed at 0500 am Saturday 09/25, leaving many memories with all of us.
Blue Angel Story:  when Roy began radiation he first saw a cobalt blue light, then it took the form of wings, then it became a blue angel.  Buddy and I shared with Roy that this was "his" blue angel that was healing him.  (and he was healed for over a year, long enough to meet Debbie again)  Roy gave a blue angel pin to all those at the radiation center and to a few of us involved with his care.
He never forgot to wear his blue angel on his shirt every day as a reminder of the angel that came to him during treatments.  I made my blue angel into a necklace and left it with my beloved brother at his burial.
I will end with this thank you to Debbie for being part of my brothers life.  You showed him love and helped him overcome anger with God for taking his first wife.  You showed him love and helped him learn to forgive himself for shortcomings he thought he had through his life.  But most of all, through your love, you led him back to the God of his salvation.  I will forever be thankful to you for showing him the way back to the cross of calvary and to Jesus.
I am in peace that one day we will see each other again.  And yes, as Roy and I talked about wanting to play on the clouds together some day, he just gets a head start on me.
A part of our family is missing but he will live on in our hearts forever.
Your Sister,Charlotte

We are so sorry to hear Roy lost his battle with cancer. He was a good man and will be greatly missed.Marlon and Karen

ROY DON WELCH’S FUNERAL_SEPT 28TH 2010
             For those who were not able to attend Roy’s Funeral
  The Funeral is over. The Ragging Storm with its ebbs and flows of Suffering has passed for Roy. He is in a better place now; he gets to hang out with other angels.
    It was a nice home going celebration. Everyone had an opportunity see Roy one last time, and to say their final good by’s in there own special ways, as we gathered together as friends and family to greet each other, There were Lots of nice music played along with a Pictorial Video showing Roy and people in Roy’s life from childhood, thru adulthood, there was lots of soft music playing everyone had the opportunity to view Roy in his likeness, as he was dressed in His Military Dress Blues, The Mortician did an outstanding Job.   The Pastor from Clifton, Texas Spoke eloquently, everything that he said about Roy was right on point, and he did not have to struggle to find any kind words to say about Roy. There were some nice songs that were sung. 
At the close of the service, everyone slowly walked down the isle to take one last Look at Roy before the casket is closed and prepared for Roy’s final ride to the final resting place, for his physical body.
Everyone left out of the funeral home and kind of meandered around amongst each other before heading to their vehicles to catch the funeral procession.
Finally the funeral procession arrived at the cemetery. The pall bearers removed Roy’s Brown wooden casket from the Hearst. Oh, By the way. Everyone knows that Roy really loved working with wood. The Pall Bearers carefully carried Roy, in his casket and diligently placed Roy’s Casket upon a platform above the open grave. Roy’s casket was then draped with an American Flag
By that time most of the people were already gathered around the tent at the grave site.
   The Pastors said a prayer. 
Then there was first and second  fly over by 4 older model plains, each plain had markings and colors representing each branch of service. This was really neat to see. We could hear the plains coming on the first approach. But as they came into view we could see they were flying in a four man formation. But just before they reached the cemetery, all four of them suddenly simultaneously turned to the right, headed back south. Then all of a sudden we could hear the plains approaching again. This time the approach was a little faster than the first one. The closer they got, the louder they got. Before I knew it they were flying low, right over head as they increased their speed all 4 plains disappeared into the horizon together. Then there was a moment of silence as the pastor asked everyone to prepare for a second flyover. While we were waiting, there was a color guard team bearing rifles, dressed in White and black positioned side by side underneath a nearby tree, positioned them selves for a six gun solute as the plains approached,. 
 We could hear the roar of the engines on the 4 plains got louder and louder as the plains approached quickened they were suddenly overhead as the Color guard fired their weapons a few times, as a salute tribute to Roy’s Military Service, as the 4 air plains were directly overhead, one of the plains quickly elevated up, and veered off from the formation representing Roy, as the missing man, and the other plains which has now become 3-plains creating a missing man formation representing Roy’s Separation from this life, kept flying in a straight line until they disappeared into the horizon. 
The National Anthem was played as soon as the plain representing Roy was disappearing into the Horizon, I was also in the Military. This made my heart swell up. It was a brief and touching moment. 
  After the flyover, Gun solute, and the National Anthem, There was a ceremony to remove the flag from the casket. The folding of the United States flag was narrated explaining what each of the 11 steps to folding the flag represented. 3 spent rounds of ammo that were ceremonially placed in a small red sack with a draw string and gently placed on top of the flag.  
Then the Flag was presented to Debbie.

you'll be remembered as a great friend to the cano family. thanks for all the memories.

Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss. Roy will truly be missed. As others have said he was not only a boss, he got to know his employees. Well he went a little further than that, he took the time to get to know their familes as well. I have vivid childhood memories of Roy stopping by to visit, always finding a away to make wildlife intriguing and interesting. I feel truly lucky to have been able to know Roy. May God keep you and comfort you in the days ahead.

Roy was a good friend all through graduate school.  We had many excursions to the Kerr WMA which I will always cherish.  Although we have not been very close through the years, every time we would visit it was like old times.  I guess that is what happens between friends. 

To the family, please accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences at this most difficult time.  Roy will be greatly missed and we are all saddened by his passing.  Please know our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult most time.

Roy was a good friend all through graduate school.  We had many excursions to the Kerr WMA which I will always cherish.  Although we have not been very close through the years, every time we would visit it was like old times.  I guess that is what happens between friends. Please accept my sincere and heartfelt condolences at this most difficult time.  Roy will be greatly missed and we are all saddened by his passing.  Please know our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this difficult most time.

I am so sorry to hear of Roy Dons passing. He will be missed by all who knew him. My prayers are with all of the family. I was very touched by the pictures, a lovely trip down memory lane. Thank you for sharing them with us. Uncle Buddy, Charlotte and Jr and all the other family members ( I am sorry I don;t know the names, years have passed us all by so quickly)  my sympathy cannot be expressed in words. I am so sorry. May God Bless you and keep you in this time of sorry. May God fill your hearts with peace and the joyful memories you have had through the years with Roy Don. With my deepest sympathy, Donna(sissy) Reynolds Gutierrez

Roy you were such a special friend and we had many good times together on the wildlife area. I will always treasure my memories. I will see you on the flip side!
Linda Perkins Jones, Palestine, TX

Debby& Family
Our thoughts and Prayers go out to you all. I wish I would have had the honor to meet Roy, but I know he was deeply Loved and will be missed alot! Debby hold on to the memories and know that Roy is Perfect in the arm's of  our Heavenly Father. May the Lord comfort you through this time of loss. I Love You and Miss You!

Roy Welch was respected and admired by all of us who knew him.  He will be missed.

God Bless all of Roy's Family and Friends..Debbie We Love You

Roy, you were always there to listen. You were always there to help. You were always there to provide support and to take the heat so your staff didn't have to.
Roy, you were the consummate boss and I know your staff was thankful to have you as their leader.

I know you thought the "blue angels" were those that cared for you but Roy, you are the blue angel of my heart.    
We will play on the clouds together one day. 
Sister

Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. Roy was a great neightbor and friend:  
  Paula and Bill Anderlitch Driftwood, Tx.

To the Family, and Friends of Roy Don Welch: 
My heart goes out to you. 
  I know this is a difficult time of sorrow for you. Having to let go of a very special person whom you have known, and, or loved for such a long time. 
   I know Roy was not ready to leave behind so many people, Family, and Friends whom he loves and cares about so very much. He would have done anything just to stay with us a little longer. He is such a positive person; He always believed that anything is possible. He worked, and fought hard to help others, He loved life, and he lived life to its fullest. When he gets to heaven, I hope that he will put in a good word for the rest of us. 
  Roy Don Welch leaves behind not just a lot of Family and friends. 
He also leaves behind a Treasure chest of memories that will help you thru the sorrow, and the pain. All of his memories can be described by his character: Bold, Caring, And Courageous.

  My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this very difficult time...this earth has lost another wonderful soul...Wanda Reynolds

Roy, thanks for always being there for those of us that needed someone to  keep us out of trouble.  We were fortunate to have had you for a boss. You will be missed by alot of folks.

Loving prayers to all family and friends.

Roy we will miss you. Roy loved his family very much and his dear wife Debbie
Roy had a great and giving heart we will miss you Roy
Becky

Roy was not just a boss to us.  He gave a lot of himself and cared very much for his field staff.  He took every opportunity to get out of the office and come to the field to help us out.  We all would have charged a hill for him with-out hesitation.  You will be missed my friend.

OBITUARY

Roy Don Welch

5 June, 1948 – 25 September, 2010

Clements-Wilcox Funeral Home

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