Ronald Edward Welch

Ronald Edward Welch, our dad and beloved husband to our mother Leona, passed away peacefully on August 8, 2025, at the age of 90. Born in Neligh, Nebraska, on June 14, 1935, Dad lived a life full of adventure, service, and unwavering love for his family.

He proudly served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, traveling the world aboard the USS Enterprise and the USS John F. Kennedy. His Navy career allowed him to explore Asia, Europe, and Australia (his favorite port). During the last years of the Vietnam War, we lived on Guam, where he documented the refugee camps established there, bearing witness to a pivotal moment in history.

One of his early Navy adventures was a tour of duty in Hawaii.  While stationed there, he met our mom, Leona, and they were married.  They loved to talk about their time in Hawaii and revisited the Aloha State for their 50th wedding anniversary.  They shared 65 beautiful years together and spent their retirement summers traveling all over the US in their RV.  They even “work camped” in Yellowstone National Park. 

In 1996, Mom and Dad retired to Opelika, Alabama, where they built a new home. Dad’s backyard workshop quickly became his favorite place. He spent part of nearly every day there, crafting toy boxes, spice cabinets, and even restoring his grandmother’s antique ice box. His hands were always busy, and his heart was always full.

When Dad moved to Opelika, he became part of a movement to fight food insufficiency in Lee County. He poured his time and energy into the East Alabama Community Market, helping to build a place that would provide a safety net for us all. His passion for this work was evident—he believed deeply in the power of community and the importance of making sure everyone had access to fresh, healthy food.

Dad gave us so many gifts. From him, Don learned to love the ocean—they fished together, went SCUBA diving, and collected shells. Julie remembers how Dad did a really great job pretending to be interested in horseback riding, always showing up to horsy events with a smile and support and not much grumbling. He was steady, kind, and always present.

He is survived by his wife (and our mother), Leona Henderson Welch (also known as Doni), us (his children)—Julie Welch Wentworth (Stuart) and Donald Welch (Rita)—and by his grandchildren: Hayden Welch (Caroline), Austin Wentworth (Taylor), Robin Hanes Allen, Temothy Hanes (Madonna), and Regan English (James). His many great-grandchildren brought him joy, and he was so proud of each and every one of them.

On Sunday, August 10, we invite you to join us in honoring his life. Visitation will begin at 2:00 pm, and there will be a celebration service at 3:00 pm at Jeffcoat-Trant Funeral Home.  In lieu of flowers, we invite you to make a donation to the Ron Welch Memorial Fund for Food Bank of East Alabama / the East Alabama Community Market.  
https://foodbankofeastalabama.com/programs/the-community-market/