Thomas H. Welch, Sr., 93, passed away peacefully on April 12, 2025, after living a rich and blessed life. He was born on April 13, 1931, in Chandler, Texas, the son of the late Elmer Jackson Welch and Katherine Tidwell Welch. He had five siblings (Paul, Bud, Marteil, Jackie and Bobby), all of whom predeceased him. After serving in the Army during the Korean War, Thomas spent most of his early-to-mid adult life in Bossier City, Louisiana and Van Buren, Arkansas working for Sears Roebuck & Co., progressing from floor salesman to store manager. After his retirement from Sears in the mid-80’s, he relocated to Toledo Bend Reservoir near Many, Louisiana and spent the next 40 years pursuing his passions — faith, family, friends and fishing. He was an active member of the Toledo Bend Church of Christ, the Toledo Bend Lake Association and the Council on Aging (where he excelled at pool and dominoes).
Thomas was preceded in death by his first wife and mother of his children, Ann Garland Welch; and is survived by his current wife, Theresa Billiot Speights Welch. He is also survived by daughter, Melanie Ann Collins of Fort Worth, Texas; son, Thomas H. Welch, Jr. and wife Sally of Austin, Texas; son-in-law, Stanley Eugene Smithey; six grandchildren, (Heather Michelle McGee and husband Mac, Allison Renae Stevens and husband Courtney, Ashley Denise Grammer, Ryan Thomas Smithey and wife Priscilla, Georgialee Lucile Welch and Lillian Mays Welch); and ten great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, Wednesday, April 16 at Hill Crest Memorial Funeral Home, 601 US 80, Haughton, Louisiana. Memorial service will be held at 10:00 am Thursday, April 17 at the Toledo Bend Church of Christ, 30361 Hwy 191, Many, Louisiana, with a graveside devotional at 3:00 pm on Thursday, April 17 at Haughton Cemetery, Haughton, Louisiana. Services will be officiated by minister James Tidwell and grandson Ryan Smithey.
In lieu of flowers, honorary donations may be directed to St. Jude’s Children's Research Hospital, 262 Danny Thomas Place, Memphis, TN 38105 (https://www.stjude.org).
You may offer condolences and sign the on-line guest book by visiting www.hillcrestmemorialfh.com.
The family extends its sincere gratitude to Superior Hospice (nurses, Shanna Ebarb and Sarah Meshell and aide, Bayley Williams) and to caregivers, Jacqulin Semien, Stephanie Jones, Sharonda Cary and Tierra Leshay for their loving care and attention during the last few weeks.
