Notes:
David Welch of Moscow died Friday afternoon, May 15, at his home in Moscow.
David Lee Welch was born Aug. 17, 1936, to Clyde and Ethel Welch in Barberton, Ohio. He grew up on a farm in Sullivan, Ohio, the family moved to when he was 9 years old. Dave graduated from Sullivan High School and was drafted into the Army, where he spent the next two years. He married Patsy June Gantz on Nov. 26, 1955, and they lived in Colorado Springs, Colo., near Fort Carson Army base. Dave, Patsy and their daughter, Debora, moved back to Ohio in August 1957, where the family lived, adding three sons, David Allan, Daniel and Damon, to the family.
Dave and his family built a business, Briar Run Gun Club, a trap and skeet club that they developed until he was transferred with GTE to Moscow, realizing a dream to move to the West. The family traveled west for several vacations, favoring the Pacific Northwest and visiting Moscow for the first time in 1974.
Dave was active in the Sullivan Congregational Church as a youth leader and deacon. He also was the leader for the Boy Scouts in Sullivan.
He was a master barber, working professionally and also out of his shop in his home.
Dave enjoyed all aspects of the outdoors: hunting, fishing, camping, boating and hiking. Picture albums filled to overflowing display his hunting and fishing trips with his sons and friends.
He and Patsy traveled extensively throughout western states, where they visited friends and family.
His lifelong interest in firearms gave him an encyclopedic knowledge of weapons and ammunition, making him an interesting source of information and anecdotes. Dave experimented with gun repair and stock design, becoming adept at checkering.
Dave was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association and the Lewis Clark Wildlife Club locally.
Dave was preceded in death by his parents. His brother, Frank; his wife, Patsy; children Deb, Allan, Daniel and Damon; nine grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren survive him.
A memorial service will be held at a later date for the interment of ashes.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Short's Funeral Chapel of Moscow, and online condolences may be left at www.shortsfuneralchapel.net.
Possible living individual, birth date and location removed!