James "Doc" Welch

Funeral services celebrating the life of James "Doc" Lloyd Welch, age 87, of Cookeville and formerly of Dayton, OH, will be held Saturday March 26, at 11am in the Cookeville Chapel of Hooper Huddleston & Horner Funeral Home with Rev. Steve Thornton officiating. Interment with military honors will follow in the Cookeville City Cemetery. The family will receive friends Friday from 5 - 8 p.m. and again Saturday from 10 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Doc passed away peacefully Tuesday March 22, 2016 at Signature Healthcare of Putnam County in Algood, TN after a lengthy illness. He was born September 25, 1927 in Putnam County, TN to the late Alfred W. and Ella Roberson Welch. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Glenda Ann Carter Welch; four brothers, Willard, Clinton, Lee and Reed Welch (who died Monday, March 21, 2016); and sister, Wanda Fleenor. A US Army veteran of the Korean War, Doc spent most of his military service stationed in Austria. He was baptized April 25, 1999 in the Falling Water River in Cookeville and was of the Baptist faith. Doc had a strong work ethic, having worked for the Chrysler Corporation for more than 30 years. He enjoyed many trips between Dayton, OH and Cookeville before retiring here in 1990. He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Kathy Steele-Keller and Chuck Keller of Dayton, OH; sisters, Emogene Garrett of Centerville, OH, Pauline Poteet of Gainesboro, and Anna Ruth Burroughs of Cookeville; granddaughter, Erica Leann Steele and her fiance, Nick Howe; and numerous extended family members. Doc's family wishes to extend their gratitude to the staff at Heritage Pointe and Signature Health Care for the special care he received during his stay at each facility. The Veterans Honor Guard will serve as pallbearers. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Tennessee, 5801 Kingston Pike, Knoxville, TN 37919.