Col. Clyde Edward Welch, Jr. US Army (ret)

Colonel Clyde Edward Welch Jr “Ed” “Eddie” Welch, US Army (Retired) 91 of Greensboro, NC passed away peacefully September 26, 2024. Ed was born July 22, 1933 in Alamance Co NC to the late Clyde Edward Welch and Margaret Whitfield Welch. Ed was the widower of the late Faye Wood Welch with whom he shared 68 years of marriage. They spent their lives together in Burlington, Winston Salem, Charlotte and Greensboro.

Ed graduated from Elon College in 1959. He played football in high school, in the Army in Japan and in college at Elon. He started as a lineman with Southern Bell and he retired as a District Manager in 1993 with 40 years of service. He is in the Hall of Fame Telephone Pioneers. He was responsible for the first fiber-optic cable being laid in NC, because of this he was asked to do a show thru UNC on science for TV. He also received a master’s degree in 1979 from both UNC Charlotte and the Army War College in Military Science.

Ed joined the Army in 1952 He served in Korea and Japan. He was a Golden Glove boxer and had a black belt in karate. He then joined the Army Reserve and did 1 tour in Vietnam managing the hospital with the 312 Evac Hospital Army Reserve Unit. He received a Bronze Star, Legend of Merritt award and the Meritorious Service Medal and many more. He retired in 1993 as a Colonel.

During all his travels he met many celebrities Ester Williams, Bob Hope, Colin Powell, John Wayne, Roger Staubach, Jayne Mansfield, and Miss NC 1963 Jeannie Roberson.

Ed volunteered with the Red Cross running blood drives at work and once retired, ran over 140 drives at church. He served on many boards and helped with disaster relief. He was awarded the Director of Emeritus for the Red Cross, Charles R Drew Award, Award of Merit, Clara Barton Award and many more.

Ed was a long time faithful member of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church where he served His Lord in many ways. He was a deacon, taught Sunday School, served on many committees and also went on several foreign mission trips with the church.

In addition to his parents and wife he is preceded in death by three brothers Don Welch, Carlos Welch and Henry Sidney Welch. He is survived by many nieces and nephews and many longtime friends.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 2:45pm Friday, October 4 in the sanctuary of Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, 4800 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC, followed by a celebration of life at 3pm. Final interment with full Military Honors will be at Westminster Gardens, 3601 Whitehurst Road, Greensboro, NC.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Ed’s name the Ministry Center Building fund, Friendly Avenue Baptist Church, The Red Cross or Trellis Supportive Care.

Hanes Lineberry Funeral Home, 515 North Elm Street, Greensboro, NC will be serving the family. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.haneslineberryfhnorthelm.com