John Wesley Welch

John received his ultimate healing on February 20th, 2024 where the Lord called him home. John Wesley Welch was a native Texan born in Muenster, Texas February 8th, 1949. John was raised in Gainesville, and Whitesboro Texas. While growing up he and his family attended First Baptist Church Whitesboro where he accepted Christ at 13 years old. He graduated Whitesboro High School and attended Junior college before serving in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1969-1971. After his honorable discharge from the Army, John attended college and graduated from North Texas State University with a B.S. in Life and Earth Science and Health Education. While attending college he re-dedicated his life to Christ and served as a summer missionary in Cotulla, Texas.

He moved to Ft. Worth and joined North Richland Hills Baptist Church. He taught school at Smithfield Jr. High for two years. During this time, he met the love of his life, Connie in the singles department at North Richland Hills Baptist where John was Outreach Director. John also led a weekly Bible Study at his home for singles. John & Connie married June 5th, 1982.

John began working at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Western Currency Facility in Ft. Worth in 1990 when it opened and retired in March 2017. John was a Plate Printer and served as Plate Printer Advisory Chairman local #2 in Ft. Worth. He also served as the Nota Save Inspection Testing System (NITS) Coordinator.

John & Connie reside in Keller, Texas, and have been members of First Baptist Church Keller for 30 years where they have been actively involved as a team and personal ministry. John and Connie have been directors of an adult Bible Study class for many years. John also began the First Baptist Keller Veteran’s Ministry and served as Team Leader since its beginning in 2018. John’s love and concern for Veterans, as well as others, and caring for their needs has been a driving force in his life.

John and Connie were blessed to have a lifelong dream fulfilled owning Hidden Valley, a small ranch in Fredericksburg, Texas. John was nicknamed “Mr. Fix-It” because he loved to repair things. John had a deep love and care for others. He loved to visit and made many friends. John has enjoyed gardening, the outdoors, and visiting with many friends and family members.

John is survived by his wife of 42 years, Connie, their son Andy, daughter Laurie, daughter in love Patricia, son in love Stephen. His granddaughter Victoria, and family, grandson Dylan, & wife Emily, their new arrival Brynlee, grandson, Ian, granddaughter Emma. He is also survived by his brother William Welch & sister in love Sharron from Whitesboro, his brother Jimmy Welch (deceased) & sister in love Linda. Also, by his sister in love, Jane McEndree, brother in love, Michael Little, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Pallbearers are; Danny Reynolds, Gerald Robinson, David Wimberley, Dylan Welch, Charlie Calogero, John Pickett.

Visitation will be Friday, March 1, 2024, 5-7 pm at Keller’s Old Town Funeral Home. Celebration of Life Service will be Saturday, March 2, 2024, 10:00am First Baptist Church Keller. Burial: Bluebonnet Hills Cemetery in Colleyville with military honors.

If anyone wishes to make a donation, please send to Samaritans Purse (Christian Relief & Medical Aid), or to First Baptist Church Keller.

We know this with certainty, John is more alive than ever in heaven, and we will be reunited with him someday. He has merely changed his address. His love for his family and friends, and the Lord lives on and will never die.

John was a true Patriot and loved this country. His courageous spirit of facing life challenges with the love of Christ is a legacy that will live on. He fought the good fight. John’s life is a rich legacy of finishing well and strong.