James was a true son of the Pacific Northwest, his father; Linden Penoyer Welch was a shingle wreaver, his mother, Olive Lavinia Collins a college student at Fairhaven in Bellingham. He graduated Kalama High School 1950, University of Washington 1957 Married to Lynn Ruth Francke 1956.
Father, favorite uncle, sportsman, coach, mentor and good cook, loved having his family over for big meals. Served in the Army, stationed in Fort Lewis and Okinawa. Worked at Boeing for 38 years as a programmer and Systems Analyst, including 6 years for the Apollo program in Huntsville, Alabama. Loved watching football and telling corny jokes.
Survived by his wife of 60 years, Lynn, his three children; Jim Jr.. Eric William and Narda Lynn as well as seven grandchildren: Lorraine, Micah, Emma, Matthew, Daniel, Madeline, and Charlotte.
