John Lawrence Welker

John Lawrence Welker, age 83, of Newport Beach, CA, passed away on Friday, Dec 22. John was born in Melbourne, Australia to American parents, Anne Petchaft Welker and James Joseph Welker. His family returned to the U.S. in 1941 near the beginning of WWII.

Memories of growing up in Long Island, NY always had a special place in John’s heart. He was raised boating, fishing and body surfing which he did into his 80’s. His day off from work was never complete until he drove down to Big Corona to check out the waves. In his lifeguard days you could find him at the beaches in Southhampton and the Jonathon Club in Santa Monica.

After a high school football injury, John looked to golf to satisfy his love of sports. That’s when his career in the PGA of America began. After apprentice jobs he was awarded full membership that continued for the next 54 years. John was proud to be a member of the PGA Half-Century Club of select fellow professionals. He loved the game, loved the challenge, and loved helping others achieve their personal best.

John was the golf director at Lake Arrowhead Country Club, Incline Village Country Club, Yorba Linda Country Club, Whittier Narrows Golf Course, and teaching professional at Oak Creek Golf Club until his hospitalization in September, 2018. He traveled on the PGA Winter Tour in the early 70’s and loved playing with some of the great competitors who established the foundation for the popularity of golf today.

In 1965 while working in Cincinnati, John met and married Lynn Pfiester. Thus began their family story in golf. For many years, with their two sons, the family looked forward to early Christmas mornings, quietly walking in harmony on dew covered fairways nearby.

John is survived by his wife of 53 years, Lynn Welker, children Craig Lawrence Welker, John Joseph Welker and his wife Valerie Hart Welker. John was preceded in death by his brother, James Robert Welker and sister, Joan Welker Frank.

A service will be held at 2:00 on January 25, 2019 at Pacific View Memorial Park,

3500 Pacific View Drive, Corona del Mar, CA 92625.

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