James Welch

James J. Welch passed away on Sunday, August 5, 2007 following complications from emphysema. He was born on February 28, 1923 in Wilburton, Oklahoma to Arthur and Laura Welch. Jim served in the military as a tank commander in the Philippines during World War II. He graduated from Emporia State Teachers College and married Helen Jane Nickels on May 23, 1947. Jim was a commissioned missionary in the American Baptist Church. He was founding administrator of the American Baptist retirement communities of Orangewood in Phoenix, Arizona and Valle Verde in Santa Barbara, California. Jim continued his professional career as the administrator of a low-income retirement community in Los Angeles for Housing Urban Development and concluded his work as an adminstrator of a retirement center in Stafford, Kansas. His wife, Helen Jane, passed away on May 5, 2006 and his sister, Juanita Guinn on August 6, 2007.

He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law, Marshall and Julia Welch, Salt Lake City, Utah, his daughter and son-in-law, Elizabeth and Michael Newman, Olathe, and five grandchildren, Justin (Kate) Welch, Jordan Welch, Melissa, Marsha, and Joel Newman. Jim was an accomplished Sunday School teacher and Bible scholar, sharing his faith with others. He spent many hours puttering with his electric trains and garden. The family wishes to extend their thanks and appreciation to the caregivers and residents of Assisted Lifestyles and Good Samaritan Nursing Center of Olathe. Gifts and memorials may be made to the Adult Education Program of the First Baptist Church of Olathe.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, August 9 at 10:00 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Olathe. The family will receive friends an hour prior to service time.