Obituary of James Welch

Funeral services for James Daniel "J.D." Welch, age 71 of Rosefield, will be held at 2 PM Thursday, November 10, 2011 from the sanctuary of Rosefield Baptist Church in Olla with Bro. Bubba Tucker officiating and Julia Woodburn delivering the eulogy. Interment will follow in Rosefield Cemetery. Visitation will be Wednesday evening at Rosefield Baptist Church from 5 PM to 9 PM. Mr. J.D. was born on March 8, 1940 in Baskin, LA to the union of Grady Mixon Welch, Sr. and Velvia Basham Welch and passed from this life on Saturday, November 5, 2011 at St. Frances Cabrini Medical Center in Alexandria. J.D. worked his way up through the tugboat industry to reach the status of pilot. He was a veteran of the armed forces and attended Rosefield Baptist Church. Mr. Welch was a man that did not gauge wealth in terms of money. He believed that family, friends and helping others was what made a person wealthy. J.D. was a man with a generous spirit giving whatever he had to anyone who needed it. At Christmas time he was known to give money to families in need so they could provide their children with presents. However, J.D. was humble in his giving never wanting acknowledgement or thanks for his generosity. J.D. was an old time country boy who enjoyed fishing (whatever was biting), hunting (whatever was in season and crossed his path) and gardening. But he most enjoyed his grandchildren and being "Papaw Big Chief" to his great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, Freddie Welch, son, James Daniel Welch, Jr., sister, Alice Marie Crafts, granddaughter, Brittanie Shae Welch and two grandsons: Ryan Morrison and Blayton Welch. Survivors include three sons: Jimmy "Bo" Welch and wife, Ann of Jena, Ronal Welch of West Monroe and Greg Welch and wife, Tina of Grayson; daughter, Belinda Varnell and husband, Mike of Rosefield; three boys raised as sons: John Welch and wife, Belinda of Olla, Chris Welch and wife, Amanda of Urania and Brian Welch and wife, Johanna of Olla, eight brothers: Grady Welch, Jr. wife, Pearlie of Baskin, Clyde Edward Welch and wife, Janie of Winnsboro, Simmie Ray Welch and wife, June of Winnsboro, William O. Welch and wife, Judy of West Monroe, T.M. Welch and wife, Jo of West Monroe, Robert Welch and wife, Sandy of West Monroe, Jesse R. Welch and wife, Cindy of Freeport, FL and Jack F. Welch and wife, Brenda of Pineville, three sisters: Mildred Heath of Laurel, MS, Doris Frizzell of Olla and Leonia Meadows and husband, Jerry of Jena, ten grandchildren: Lyndsie Thompson (Kevin), Julia Woodburn (Woody), Danny Lee Welch (fiance', Sky), Dylan Welch, Mikayla Varnell, Tristan Varnell, Michael Varnell, Tara Swinnea (Cody), Jeremy Welch (Laken) and Rebecca Welch, six great-grandchildren: Anna Frisch, Harmony Thompson, Addison Woodburn, Karma Swinnea, Braxton Welch and Drake Welch and six extended great-grandchildren: Kylee Patton, Kelcee Hartley, Reagan Welch, Destiney Welch, Alyssa Welch and Hadlee Welch. Pallbearers will be Mike Varnell, James Beckley, Chris Welch, Brian Welch, Tavis Frizzell and Todd Frizzell. Honorary pallbearers will be Ben Beckley, Kevin Thompson, John Welch, Damion Powell, Marshal Rigdon, Marlin Crafts, Mixon Crafts and Chad Gauthier.