Donald John Welch

After a hard-fought battle with mesothelioma, Donald John Welch went to rest in his heavenly home on May 10th, 2020. Donald was a husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend. He was a leader of men and possessed the deepest love and devotion for his wife and family.

Donald was born December 2nd, 1953, the second child to James Donald and Barbara Jean Welch, in Framingham, Massachusetts. In early 1972, Donald started what would be a long and fulfilling journey in the United States Army. He would go on to make military history in deploying his battery in record time to Israel in support of Operation Desert Storm, and later retiring after 22 years of loyal service.

In April of 1972, Donald married the love of his life, Mary. April 28th, 2020, they celebrated 48 years of marriage and 50 years of a whirlwind romance together. Donald and Mary raised three daughters and became grandparents twice over.

Donald is preceded in death by his parents, James Donald and Barbara Jean Welch. He is survived by his wife, Mary; daughters: Tara Harry (Jason), Kelly Welch (Casey Skelton) and Brandi Jenkins (Michael); grandchildren: Faith and Zachary Harry; sister: Sandie Loughman; God family: Bradley, Angela and Matthew Strong; many friends, family, and extended family.

With all our hearts and souls, we will miss him, but know that we will be together again. Deeply loved, desperately missed, never forgotten.

Arrangements are as follows: visitation/ rosary will be held on Sunday, May 17th, 2020, from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at Crawford-Bowers funeral home, 1615 South Fort Hood Road, Killeen, TX. A funeral mass will be held on May 18th, 2020, from 10:00-10:45 am at Saint Paul Chong Hasang Catholic Church, 1000 Farm to Market 2410, Harker Heights, TX with graveside service to follow at the Central Texas Veterans’ Cemetery, 11463 TX-195, Killeen, TX. Instead of flowers, donations can be made to the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation at curemeso.org.