Ronald Carl Welch Sr.

Ronnie Welch, 65, of Prince George County, passed away on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at Southside Regional Medical Center. Born in Hopewell, VA, he was the oldest son of Carl B. Welch (Deceased) and Melva Collins Welch. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Newton and Myrtle Mills Collins and Eldridge and Gladys Vass Welch; long time friends, Mary Lou Welsh and Evelyn Radcliffe. Ronnie is a lifelong member of Blandford United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Choir, The United Methodist Men, and was the audio technician. He graduated in 1966 from Petersburg High School, attended Richard Bland College and Richmond Technical Institute. Ronnie Retired from the City of Petersburg Engineering Division in 2011 with 39 years of service. He had a passion for music and enjoyed “pickin” with his Bluegrass Buddies for over 40 years. He played in many groups including James River Express, Evergreen, Highway 35, Blades of Grass, Winds of Grass, Doc Russell’s Pea Pickers, and The Musical Dudes. He is survived by his wife and best friend, Julie Welch, his loving mother, Melva Welch of Disputanta; daughter Amy Richards and her husband, Don, of Surry; son, Rusty Welch and his wife, Melanie, of Church Road; grandchildren, Jenna and Olivia Richards, and Owen and Avery Welch; brother, Gary Welch and his wife, Kim, of Chesterfield; sister, Donna Hester and her husband, Charles, of Disputanta; niece Ryan Hodges Merritt and her husband, Chris, and their children, Casey, Mackenzie, and Charlotte of Midlothian. We have lost a much loved family member but heaven has gained a wonderful voice and musician for its choir. The family will receive friends from 6:00 to 8:00 pm on Friday, April 25, 2014 at the Petersburg Chapel of J.T. Morriss & Son Funeral. A funeral will be conducted at 3:00 pm on Saturday, April 26, 2014 at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Blandford Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be donated to Blandford United Methodist Church, P.O. box 1686, Petersburg, VA, 23805. Condolences may be registered at www.jtmorriss.com .