August 31, 2013 in Portland, Maine.
He was born on June 6, 1934, in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, to Paul Lee Alexander Welker and Edith Fern Ricketts. He lived most of his childhood in Jackson, Tennessee. He married Marian Risk in 1956, and they resided in the Washington, D.C. area with their children.
He attended Kentucky State College and received his Bachelor's of Arts from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana. In 1954, David joined the United States Marine Corps, where he played bass clarinet, clarinet, and saxophone in "The President's Own" United States Marine Band for 32 years.
David retired in 1987 with the rank of Master Gunnery Sergeant, having played under eight presidential administrations, beginning with President Dwight D. Eisenhower. After retirement, David received two Bachelor of Science degrees, one from the University of Maryland, in Political Science, and the second from the University of Maine, in Public Administration. In his retirement, David and Marian resided in Waldoboro, Maine, where David taught music, enjoyed his gardening, and served as Director of Round Top Center of the Arts, in Damariscotta.
David is survived by Marian, his wife of 57 years; his brother James; his children: David Samuel, Matthew (Max), Eric, Hope Ellen, and Beth; 8 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews, all of whom he loved dearly.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to "Doctors Without Borders", www.doctorswithoutborders.org. Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to view a video collage of David’s life and to share condolences, memories and tributes with his family.
**There will be a Gathering to Give Tribute to and Celebrate the Life of David Lee Welker on Saturday, November 9, 2013 from 1 to 4 pm at the Round Top Farm ~ Farmhouse Gallery, located at 3 Round Top Lane in Damariscotta, Maine
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