Larry Welch passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2016 at his home in Clark Fork, Idaho. Memorial services will be held at 4:00 pm on Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Cabinet Mountain Calvary Chapel in Clark Fork, with pastors Nick Larsen and Scott Douglas officiating. Preceding the service there will be a private burial with Military Honors at the Clark Fork Cemetery.
Larry was born on December 12, 1935 in Kearney, Nebraska to Gaylord and Lona Welch. He grew up and attended schools in Wyoming and Idaho, graduating from Clark Fork High School in 1953.
Larry joined the Navy R.O.T.C. at the University of Idaho, where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Biology. After active duty in the Navy, he returned to U of I to earn a Master’s Degree in Bacteriology. In the Navy, after pilot training, he flew the A-4 and then helicopters off the USS Bennington. He was honorably discharged as a Navy Lieutenant Commander.
On his way to becoming a research scientist, Larry changed career paths to become a pilot for Pan American World Airways. On November 6, 1988 he married Connie (Colleen) Cody in Everett, WA. They had the opportunity to live in many places including Germany when the Berlin Wall came down. He retired from Delta Airlines in 1997, while living in Colbert, WA. In 2006, he moved back to Clark Fork.
Larry is a member of Living Water Lutheran Church, Trout Unlimited, and Airline Pilots of America. He was an avid reader and particularly had a deep love for God’s Word. He enjoyed music, from jazz to bluegrass, fly fishing, boating, kayaking, hiking, camping, RVing, traveling (especially road trips to Alaska), small ship cruises, snowmobiles and ATVs. Larry was a longtime volunteer at Life Services, Spokane and Life Choices Pregnancy Center, Sandpoint. He ardently supported the lives of unborn babies.
He is survived by his wife Connie Welch of Clark Fork; son Col. John (Raelene) Welch of Fort Belvoir, VA; daughter Tracey (Edward) Severtsen of Seattle; step-children Tamara Meier (Charles Gallant) of Ocala, FL, James Collier of Seattle, and Kelly Collier-Chivens of Los Angeles; three grandchildren Taylor, Justin, and Axel; brother Donald (Marlys) Welch of Overland Park, Kansas; sister-in-law Kathy Cody, Bellingham, Washington, several nieces and nephews and his faithful dog Dooley.
He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Carol Lund Welch, and son Stewart Marshall Welch.
Memorial donations may be made to Bonner Community Hospice, 620 North Third Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864. – See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/spokesman/obituary.aspx?n=Larry-Jim-WELCH&pid=180379192#sthash.Fnc9J5Ii.dpuf