Ray Alec Welch

Ray Alec Welch was born in Cushing, Oklahoma on Thursday October 25, 1923 and departed this life on Tuesday December 10, 2019. He was a dedicated man of God and fulfilled himself in fellowship within his church community. Ray was born on a farm during the depression and often referred his child years as being “a fat little boy in overalls”. One of five children, they lost their mother early in life and in his mid-teens the family sold the farm and moved to Doris, California, only to return to Oklahoma a year later. During World War II, Ray served his country by enlisting in the Merchant Marines, where he spent time stationed in Australia and New Orleans. Later in life he enjoyed sharing a story of his time in New Orleans where he and some service buddies rented an apartment for three, but snuck in a fourth person as two of his roommates looked so similar that the land lady could not tell the two apart. Just after the war ended he was dining in a small café where met and dated his waitress Phyllis Irene Akins. The two dated six weeks and married. Just afterwards they moved to Newberg, Oregon, joined Grace Baptist Church (then named the First Baptist Church) and raised two daughters; Donna and Carolyn. They were to make Newberg their forever-home and had a enjoyed forty-eight years together before her passing in 1994. Ray remained in their home until January of this year before moving to the Astor House for his remaining months. Ray loved serving his community. He was an active member of his church for seventy years, worked as a foreman for Portland General Electric, regularly donated blood to the Red Cross, and volunteered with Meals on Wheels well into his early nineties. Ray loved being actively involved in his church where he spent several decades collecting and counting the weekly offerings and working with book keeping, was dedicated to his Sunday Services, bible study, XYZ Group, and loved the outings they took together. In his leisure time he enjoyed camping, gardening, bowling, golfing, and his daily crossword puzzles. Ray was a very patient man and often placed the needs of others in front of his own. He was often described by those that knew him most by one simple word; KIND! Ray was preceded in life by his mother Mildred, father Roy, wife Phyllis, daughters Donna and Carolyn, and Mother-in-Law Winnie. He is survived by his grandson Carl “Ray” Hurt and, as he referred to her, “His Great-Grandpuppy” Daisy Mae. A celebration of Ray Welch’s life will be held at Grace Baptist Church on Saturday, December 21st at 1 pm. Contributions may be made in the remembrance of Ray Welch to Meals on Wheels and The Red Cross.

Ray Alec Welch

October 25, 1923 - December 10, 2019