James Howard Welch

James Howard Welch, age 91, died peacefully in his home in Falls Church, Virginia on March 24, 2024. He was born on February 18, 1933, in Knoxville, Tennessee, the son of Jodie and Carl Welch. From a young age, he understood the value of hard manual labor from his days working on the family farm alongside his six siblings. He leaves behind a legacy of remarkable accomplishments and cherished memories. After graduating from Karns High School in Knoxville, Tennessee, James attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and graduated with a degree in Finance. He went on to earn a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. During the Korean War, James served his country as a member of the United States Air Force, paving the way for his four younger brothers who all served in the United States military. Early in James's career, he embarked on a successful career as a stockbroker, utilizing his expertise to navigate the complexities of the financial world. While James remained actively involved in the equity markets throughout his life, he later pursued a career with the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) where he worked with universities as well as state and local governments to finance government grants. He retired as a Branch Chief at HHS after a long, dedicated tenure of federal service. In his leisure time, James enjoyed cheering on his favorite teams, the Tar Heels and the Tennessee Vols as well as playing chess with his three grandchildren while enjoying the many different soups his daughter-in-law, Carolyn, made him. He also found joy in gardening and had a deep appreciation for and knowledge of classical music, which he imparted to his son. In his younger years, James liked to hike the Blue Ridge and Shenandoah Mountains with his family and took them on many camping trips. James also generously donated to several local Christian causes, including The Falls Church Anglican and The Lamb Center. James is mourned by his loving and faithful wife, Mary Welch, and their son, David Welch (Carolyn), and their three beautiful children, Zach, Danielle, and Luke all of whom gave James immense joy and pride. James is also mourned by his brother, Steven Welch (Deborah), and two sisters, Sandra Morgan (Bill) and Carolyn Shelton. Their shared memories will forever be cherished. James Howard Welch will be remembered as a dedicated serviceman, a respected professional, and a loving family man. His impact on the lives of those around him will continue to be felt, and his memory will live on in the hearts of all who had the privilege of knowing him. The celebration and remembrance of his life will take place on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, at 2:00 PM in the Cranmer Chapel at The Falls Church Anglican, 6565 Arlington Boulevard, Falls Church, Virginia. He will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery at a future date. May his soul rest in eternal peace. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made either to The Falls Church Anglican, https://onrealm.org/TFCA/give/JamesWelchMemorial or to The Lamb Center https://www.thelambcenter.org/ways-to-give/