Elliot Jerome Welch

Elliot Jerome (Jerry) Welch (Col. Ret.), loving husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend, passed away peacefully with family by his side on June 23, 2022, from complications of Dementia with Parkinsonism. Jerry’s friends and family will always remember his great sense of humor and beautiful smile, which he retained throughout his journey through dementia, and his love of God, family, and country.

Jerry was born in Columbus, Ohio on August 8, 1936, to Elliot and Pauline (nee Napier) Welch. Jerry attended Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio where he was a member of the Army ROTC. While at Xavier Jerry met Carole at a freshman dance and their enduring love story began.

Upon graduation from Xavier, Jerry entered the United States Army as a Field Artillery Second Lieutenant. On Veteran’s Day 1958, he called Carole and asked her to marry him while he was home on leave for Christmas. She said, “Yes,” and their military adventures began. Together they served their country for nearly 30 years – he as an Army officer and she by his side as an officer’s wife and mother of four children. She supported him through two tours in Vietnam and countless moves all over the world.

Jerry became an Army aviator in 1959 and served in a wide variety of aviation, artillery, and financial management positions until his retirement. His most memorable assignment was flying nighttime electronic surveillance missions along the East German and Czechoslovakia borders with West Germany during the height of the Cold War. While in the Army, he received a Master Army Aviator badge, Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious service, three Meritorious Service Medals for outstanding meritorious service, Air Medal for heroism, and three Bronze Stars for outstanding meritorious service in combat.

After retiring from the military, Jerry became a legal administrator for a Sarasota law firm for seven years before retiring a second time. Realizing that he still wasn’t ready to be retired, he then became the Director of Operations for a Sarasota insurance agency until he retired the third time.

Jerry also had many interests outside work. He was an avid tennis player, and enjoyed travel, investing in the Stock Market, yard work, and being a household handyman.

He is survived by his devoted wife of 63 years, Carole (nee Ranz), two daughters and two sons, Greg Welch of Littleton, CO, Bernadette Welch (Chris Fischer) of Nashville, TN, Mark Welch (Maureen) of Denver, CO, and Marti Jones (Todd) of Grapevine, TX. He is also survived by 5 grandsons, John Keller of Boulder, CO, Jerome and James Welch of Denver, CO, and Austin and Ryan Jones of Dallas, TX; and a sister, Beth Ege (Conrad) of Carmel, CA. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Alan Welch, and his infant sister, Martha Ann Welch.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Jerry’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association (https://www.alz.org/), the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (https://www.michaeljfox.org/), or a charity of your choice.

A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 9:30 AM at Incarnation Catholic Church, 2901Bee Ridge Rd, Sarasota, FL 34239. A committal service will be held at Sarasota National Cemetery, 9810 State Rd 72, Sarasota, FL 34241 at 11:30 AM.

For online tributes, please visit www.rtsfunerals.com