James David Welch

James “David” Welch, Jr. November 4, 1935 - August 5, 2017 David Welch, Jr. passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and covered in prayer, on Saturday, August 5, 2017, after two weeks in the hospital. He was born November 4, 1935 to Jimmy Welch and Ruth Webb Welch in Micanopy, FL. Mr. Welch and his siblings recently visited their family home, telling stories and giving thanks for the good name that was left to them, a tradition they have continued. During his 81 years, Mr. Welch was a forester, a cowboy, a potential pitcher for the Detroit Tigers, and an honest, Godly man. He graduated from Trenton High School in 1953. David married Vivian Matthews on Labor Day weekend in 1955. After finishing Forest Ranger School in Lake City, the couple moved to follow employment opportunities, but moved back home to Gilchrist County as soon as they could. Mr. Welch worked as a Forester for the State of Florida. He was Ranch Manager for Two Rivers Ranch in Zephyrhills, FL for 17 years. After leaving the ranch, Mr. Welch retired from Georgia Pacific, building lifelong friendships with each new job. Mr. David and Mrs. Vivian raised three children, and have been BB and Granny to four grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren, all of whom live in Gilchrist County. Their marriage of nearly 62 years has been an example of true love and devotion. Mr. Welch is survived by his wife of almost 62 years Vivian, aunts Christine (Ed) Wood and Helen Coppack, his siblings Bill Welch, Wimpy (Linda) Welch, and Ruth Anne (Ben) Bennett, daughters Mary Ann (Carl) Johnson and Wini (Toby) Weeks, son Jim Welch, grandchildren Jason (Denett) Johnson, James (Jennifer) Johnson, Joshua (Ashlee) Johnson, Taven (Colby) Bennett, and “mighty fine” great-grandchildren Bryson, Landon, Jenny-Lynn, Jonah, Isaac, Rylee, Zane, Canaan, Reina, Mayree, Elise, little Carlee, and baby Johnson. He also leaves behind nieces, nephews, friends, and his church family at Cherry Sink Church of Christ. Mr. Welch was known for eating slowly, singing loudly, and visiting Ayers Nursing Home. He had a bass voice, a firm handshake, and prayers that echo in our minds. In honor of Mr. Welch’s memory, the family asks that you follow God’s Word, pray for your family each night and morning, watch out for the rip tide and rattlesnakes, cheer at a ballgame, crack a whip, drive slow on the backroads, shoot an armadillo, go visit friends, never be late, watch the Gilchrist County full moon come up, and love unconditionally. Graveside service will be held on Wednesday, August 9, 2017 at 11:00 A.M. at Cherry Sink Cemetery (Bethel Baptist Church Cemetery) in Trenton, FL, with Mr. John Zellner officiating.