CLAUDE WILBUR WELCH
April 4, 1924- November 4, 2010
Claude Wilbur Welch was known by many names. The most significant to me was "father" of my mom and "Grandpa" to me. I had the honor to ready my Grandpa's Life Sketch at his funeral services on Monday Nov 8, 2010. Grandpa was an incredible man who made friends whereever he went. He suffered a stroke Monday November 1, 2010 that left him paralized on 1/2 of his body. I was able to talk to him on the phone and here him once again tell me how much he loved me. He left this earthly existance on November 4, 2010 in the late morning. He will be missed, but I know he is having a joyous reunion with my Grandma and Dad and the others that have gone before us. I LOVE YOU GRANDPA!I have much to write, but am having difficulties gathering and organizing my thoughts at this time, so I will simply share the Life Sketch that my Aunt Holly put together for me to read, and a email/note Grandpa sent to me last year.
Don't worry, I will be back to write more later, I promise!
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| Grandpa Welch about 1960-- A Navy Man! |
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| Grandpa and Grandma Welch in 2008 |
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| The love birds in 2008 |
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| Grandpa dressed all snazzy-- with cute Pierre |
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| Paul, Rochelle, and Grandpa Late Summer of 2008 |
His first name was “son”. Claude Wilbur Welch was born April 4, 1924 to Guy Wilbur Welch and Anna Irene Stephens Welch at St. Marks Hospital in Salt Lake City, Utah. His father worked for Union Pacific Railroad and his mother’s job was being a mother. As a young boy, his dad would take him to pick pieces of coal up off the tracks and ground that had spilled out from the railcars, sack them up, and take them to families in need. He attended school in Salt Lake City until his family moved to Bountiful. He skipped a grade and ended up with a pretty girl in his class by the name of Vera Steed. They graduated from Davis County High School in 1941.
His next name was “sailor”. After high school he attended the University of Utah in the pre-med program, but his desire to defend his country was strong and enlisted in the United States Navy in February, 1942. He was called up to active duty in September of that year. He served in the United States Navy during World War II in the North Atlantic, South Atlantic and Pacific theaters. He also served the Korean and Vietnam wars. He retired from the Navy in 1967 as the base commander in Bayview, Idaho. He was a member of the Military Officers’ Association.
His next name was “sweetheart”. Claude and Vera continued their friendship and it bloomed into love. Claude asked Vera to marry him and she said “Yes.” Claude was granted a twelve-hour leave so the couple could be married on June 10, 1943 while Claude was stationed San Diego, California. Later their marriage was solemnized in the Logan Utah LDS Temple
His next name was “Daddy.” Claude became a proud father at the birth of Claudia, their first daughter, in 1946. Seven years later the Welch family added Holly to their fold.
“Brother” was a name he was called by after he joined the church in 1955. Later, as an active member of the LDS Church, he served on the high council in two stakes, as well as in two bishoprics. Then he was called “president” when sustained as a branch president and later as stake president in the Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Stake. Claude and Vera served as temple officiators in the Salt Lake Temple for 23 years.
“Grandpa” was Claude’s next beloved name when Norm and Claudia had their first child, Kristalyn. Darrin was added to the Rich family a couple of years later. Soon to follow from Scott and Holly were Jessica, Hidee and then Helaman. Claudia and Norm added Rochelle the next year which ended their contribution to his progeny. But, Guy, Jonathan, Dananda and Sadie soon followed to extend the line. Several neighbors and young friends called him “Grandpa Welch”, even today.
Many addressed him as “Mr.” After he retired, he became a realtor, an insurance claim adjuster and also served as a county commissioner in Kootenai County, Idaho.
He and Vera embarked on trips around the world to further their love of genealogy research. Claude’s dedication to genealogy and temple work continued throughout his entire life. Claude and Vera both enjoyed working in their yard and in the garden. Growing a robust garden became a labor of love for Claude following the Church’s counsel to maintain food storage in the event of emergency or if food became scarce. After Claude and Vera moved to Rigby, he added helping Holly on the farm and feeding the cows to his list of daily chores.
Claude is survived by two daughters, Claudia Rich of Redmond, Washington and Holly (Scott) Hancock of Rigby, Idaho; ten grandchildren and nineteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his beloved wife, and his son-in-law Norman W. Rich.
As a final thought, I want to share with you his famous phrase when their was a lull in conversation, or just to let you know what he thougth, he'd say "well, the Gospel is true!”
My Grandpa was a dilligent letter writer (so was Grandma Welch), my mom taught me at a very young age the importance of keeping in touch with family--a trait she clearly learned from her parents! We got to (even though sometimes it felt like we HAD to) write letters to missionaries in our ward, our Grandparents, and write in our journal each week growing up.
Grandpa and Grandma wrote weekly letters (or sometimes more than once a week), and when they discovered email they would tag team the computer to fill us in on their happenings. Even the weeks before he passed away, with his failing eye sight, and difficulty moving around, Grandpa wrote letters each week.
Here is the Christmas note I received December 2009:
It is good to hear from you during his Christmastime, but I'm afraid I have a little bad news in response to receiving thoughts and wishes that your card come with.
My beloved Vera passed away on June 12 of this year. I seem to be sure of just one emotional fact—that we’ll be together again, and for all eternity. However, I do spend time sitting and worrying about family, friends, and dreams.
I would like you to know that I do wish you a very, very Merry Christmas and a happy new year, that all things will fall in order for your life, and joy and happiness in this coming year. I hope and pray in the name of Jesus.
I am leaving this Thursday for Seattle to attend the Wedding of Rochelle and Paul Schultz, She is Claudia’s daughter, I will be gone a week and a bit.
Claude Welch and Pierre my little poodle woof woof
