James A. Welch, Sr., 80, of Ruidoso, NM died on Saturday, May 26, 2001, in an Alamogordo, NM nursing home. Funeral services will be at 11:00 AM Tuesday, May 29, 2001, at the First Baptist Church of Crowell with Rev. Charlie Dodd, Youth Pastor of the First Baptist Church of Midland, officiating. Interment will follow at Crowell Cemetery. Family will recieve friends at the Womack-Manard Funeral Home from 7 to 9 P.M., Monday. He was born on October 15, 1920 in Crowell, Texas and married Carmon Leta Whitis on May 14, 1948 in Crowell, Texas and she preceded him in death on February 18, 1984. James was the son of the late J.Y. and Margaret Welch, he was born and raised in Crowell and graduated from Crowell High School in 1939. James attended Texas Tech for three years before joining the U. S. Air Force in 1943. He served as a first lieutenant as a co-pilot on a B-24 in the Pacific Theatre during World War II and received the Distinguished Flying Cross and eight air medals. After the war he re-entered Texas Tech and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science Degree in agricultural education in 1946. Mr. Welch returned to Crowell to begin his teaching career of 36 years and received his Master's of Education Degree in 1958 from the University of Texas. He taught for four years as an instructor for World War II veterans in the Foard County Vocational School and then taught science at Crowell High School until he retired in 1984. He also farmed for many years and worked as an assistant Lab and X-ray technician at the Foard County Hospital for nine years. He was a member and a deacon of the First Baptist Church of Ruidoso and taught a Men's sunday school class, former longtime member and sunday school teacher of the First Baptist Church of Crowell, member of the Ruidoso Masonic Lodge #73, A.F. & A.M., served as treasurer of the Golden Age Senior Citizen Group in Ruidoso, served as Ruidoso Municipal School science fair judge, was an author and had written a historical fiction novel. Survivors include: one son and daughter-in-law, James and Pam Welch of Big Spring, two daughters and sons-in-laws, Beth and A. D. Powers of Ruidoso, N.M., and Jan and Charlie Dodd of Midland, Texas, five grandchildren, Ryan Dodd of Waco, Kristen and Jordan Dodd of Midland, Aimee and Ashlee Powers of Ruidoso, N.M., two sisters Frances Lee of Graham, Texas, and Lucille Huffstutler of Edinberg, Texas. He was also preceded in death by his parents, J.Y. and Margaret Welch, two brothers Munson and John Welch and one sister Lydia Welch. Family suggests memorials be made to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. Arrangements under the direction of Womack-Manard Funeral Home in Crowell, Texas.,
