Jack Teasdale Welch

Services for Jack Teasdale Welch, 92, of Tyler, will be held on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at 10:00 AM at Stewart Family Funeral Home with Rev. Stephanie Scott and Rev. Alicia Coltzer officiating. Military Honors will follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery in Tyler under the direction of Stewart Family Funeral Home. Mr. Welch passed away Monday, February 16, 2015. He was born July 2, 1922 in Edwardsville, Illinois to Leonard and Margaret Teasdale Welch. Jack grew up in Edwardsville, Illinois where he graduated from High School. He graduated college with a B.S. in accounting. Jack served his country in the U.S. Navy during WWII as a pilot in Patrol Squadron 42 over the Asiatic Pacific. He was later transferred to the Navy Reserve but was called back to active duty in 1956 as a flight instructor during the Korean Conflict. Jack retired from the Navy as a Lieutenant Commander after 26 years of dedicated service. He then began a new career as an accountant for the Atlantic Richfield Oil Company. Always a respected leader in the community, he was elected as a director of the Silsbee Chamber of Commerce. Jack moved to Tyler in 1982 where he was a member of Pollard United Methodist Church, a 32nd degree Mason of the Scottish Rite Order, an honored member of the MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), and was active in the Smith County Woodworkers Club where he served as President for two years. Jack was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Marcella Wood Welch; and son, Jack Randall “Randy” Welch. Jack is survived by his loving family including his wife, Ruth Begley Poag Welch; sister, MaryLee Flook of Boulder, Colorado; 2 nieces and 1 nephew; step-children, Larry Poag and Elaine Poag Boushka; thirteen step-grandchildren, to whom he was affectionately known as “Grandpa Jack”. Visitation is scheduled 1 hour prior to service, from 9:00 to 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 21, 2015 at Stewart Family Funeral Home, 7525 Old Jacksonville Highway, in Tyler. If desired, memorials may be made to Pollard UMC, 3030 New Copeland Road, Tyler, TX 75701 or The Hospice of East Texas Foundation, 4111 University Blvd., Tyler, TX 75701.

Jack Teasdale Welch

July 2, 1922 - February 16, 2015