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Submitted: 8/15/23 • Approved: 8/17/23 • Last Updated: 8/20/23 • R1496419-G0-S3
PRIVATE FIRST CLASS US Army
May 6, 1943 - April 21, 2012
Medford W. “Stud” Welch, 68 of El Dorado crossed the finish line and took the green flag to go to meet with the Lord on April 21, 2012 after a lengthy illness.
Born in Union County on May 6, 1943 he was the son of Medford and Kathleen Tomlinson Welch. The first time his dad saw him, he said that was his little “Stud”. He continues to carry that nickname the rest of his life.
Stud was a graduate of Mt. Holly High School and in July of 1984 he graduated from the Law Enforcement Academy and retired from the Union County Sheriff’s Office in July of 2001. Stud operated the Cairo Liquor Store after his father’s death, until he founded Welch Wrecker Service. He also served his country in the U. S. Army.
Stud went at everything with the same zest for life that he did with his working, racing, riding the pink trike, fishing, hunting and being with family.
From the time he was a very young man, he loved to race cars, motorcycles and boats. He races at the Smackover track many years ago, as well as Farmerville, Calhoun and many other tracks.
Survivors include his wife, Anita Welch; three daughters, Virginia Wolfe of Conway, Betsy Lambert of Smackover and Kathy Hurst (Billy) of El Dorado; son, Gary Barnett of Rockwall, TX. Also surviving are two step-daughters, Tracye Howse Summerville and Cheri Howse McDougald (Rusty) all of El Dorado.
Preceding him in death along with his parents are wives, Jean Bowman Welch and Gerry Brewton and a daughter, Pamela Kay Welch.
Surviving grandchildren are Bobby Jones (Leslie), Blake Jones, Josh Wolfe, Mark Lambert, Benjamin Summerville, Bradley Summerville, Magan Lambert, Tami Wolfe, Terra Gulledge, Wesley Barnett and great-grandchildren, Wesley Wade Short, Carter Jones, and Haley Gulledge.
Stud is also survived by a brother, Charles “Corkey” Welch (Katherine) of Smyrna, GA; a very special cousin and friend, Cynthia and Gary Spooner of Germantown, TN; uncles, Wilmor Welch (Lois) of Hot Springs and Louie Welch of El Dorado; a nephew, Charles Welch (Katie) of Smyrna, GA and Niece, Nikki Welch of Smyrna, GA along with many cousins and friends.
A celebration of the life of Stud Welch will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Young’s Chapel with Bro. Tommy Robertson officiating. Interment will follow in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens under the directions of Young’s Funeral Directors.
The family invites family and friends to Young’s Funeral Directors from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday evening to share stories about Stud and his life.
Please dress casual for the visitation and services. Following the services there will be a lunch held at 1708 North Jefferson. Family will be at 6823 Magnolia Hwy.
A special thanks to the Arkansas Department of Health and the nurses, Terrie, Jane, and Missy for their special care and compassion.
Memorials may be made to the Parkview Baptist Church Building Fund, 608 West 8th Street, El Dorado, AR 71730 or the Arkansas Sheriffs’ Youth Ranch, Inc., P.O. Box 3964, Batesville, AR 72503-9989
Contributed on 8/15/23 by debbraszymanski
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Record #: 1496419