Dr. Doyle W. Welch

Dr. Welch was born August 23, 1933 in Weatherford, Texas to Doyle S. Welch and Iona B. (Hamilton) Welch.

On June 28, 1951 he married the love of his life Melba Jo Noonkester in Portales, New Mexico. On Wednesday, June 28, 2011 Melba Jo and Doyle would have celebrated sixty years of marriage.

He was a member of First Baptist Church in Copperas Cove, was Past Master of Santo Masonic Lodge #836 A.F. & A.M., a Shriner, a Board Member for the Welch Foundation, a member of the Copperas Cove Quarterback Club, the Copperas Cove Lions Club and America’s Drug Free Productions.

He enjoyed many things in life, the Lord and his family, were the center of his life. He was always one to spread the word of God and lead people to the Lord. He had his Doctorate in Theology.

He also enjoyed sports, he was an All-State Basketball Player, and later was a Basketball Official having the opportunity to officiate several games in the Southwest Conference. He also played Minor League Baseball for the Brooklyn Dodger’s organization. He had a fond passion for football as well and as one would expect the Copperas Cove Bulldawgs. In his many activities the one common denominator was helping children.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Helen Jo Daniel and one grandchild, Chad Evan Welch.

He is survived by his loving wife, Melba Jo Welch of Copperas Cove; three sons, Gary Wendell Welch and his wife Faith, Jackie Steve “Jack” Welch and his wife Carol and Tracy Doyle Welch and his wife Sheri all of Copperas Cove; two brothers, Carol Duane Welch of Keller and Ronnie Gerald Welch of Baird and six grandchildren, Joshua Doyle Welch, Steven Lee Welch, Daniel Russell, Kaylee Joleen Welch, Caleb Thomas Welch and Matthew Hunter Welch.

The Welch family will receive guests for a time of visitation from 6 o’clock in the evening until 8 o’clock in the evening, Sunday, the nineteenth day of June two thousand and eleven, at Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove. Funeral services will be at one o’clock in the afternoon Monday the twentieth day of June, two thousand and eleven at the First Baptist Church in Copperas Cove with Dr. Mark Kemp, Pastor officiating. Interment services will be at five o’clock in the evening, Monday the twentieth day of June two thousand and eleven in the North Santo Cemetery in Santo, Texas.

Serving as pallbearers will be Joshua Doyle Welch, Steven Lee Welch, Daniel Russell, Caleb Welch, Glynn Powell, Jim Copeland, Dale Ables and Mike Wilburn.

In place of usual remembrances the family suggests that memorial contributions be made to the Welch Foundation, 2846 Tonkawa Road, Copperas Cove, Texas 76522 to benefit and assist children which was one of his passions.

Words of Comfort may be shared with the family at www.crawfordbowerscopperascove.com

Services have been entrusted to the care of Crawford-Bowers Funeral Home in Copperas Cove.