Obituary of Bobby Grant Welch

Bobby Grant Welch, 80, of Fairmont passed away on Saturday, July 30, 2022. He was born November 15, 1941, in Kilarm, the son of the late Clyde and Ellen Vandergrift Welch. Bobby is survived by his loving wife, Dianne David Welch; children, Laura Bennett and her husband Bruce of Fairmont and Thomas Welch and his wife Michele Hofmeister-Welch of Parkersburg; grandchildren, Joseph Welch, Amanda Bennett, Kara Bennett, Bethany Welch, and Jason Welch; niece, Mary Ann Kuretza, and his dog, Donnie. In addition to his parents, Bobby was preceded in death by his sister, Norma Kuretza; nephew, Thomas Kuretza Jr.; and brothers-in-law, Michael David and Thomas Kuretza. Bobby was a graduate of Fairview High School and had attended Fairmont State College. He served in the 25th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army and was a member of Fairmont Masonic Lodge #9 A.F. & A.M. Bobby retired in 2014 from his company, Welch Electric, and was a Methodist by faith. He loved spending time with his grandchildren and his dogs. He enjoyed music, reading, riding motorcycles, and camping. The family requests memorial contributions be made in Bobby’s memory to Pet Helpers, Inc., 725 East Park Ave., PMB 311, Fairmont, WV 26554. The family will receive friends at Ford Funeral Home, 201 Columbia St., Fairmont, WV 26554, on Thursday, August 4, 2022, from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. and on Friday, August 5, 2022, from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m. The funeral service will be held in the funeral home on Friday, August 5, 2022, at 11 a.m. A committal service will follow at the West Virginia National Cemetery in Pruntytown with full military rites conducted by the Marion County Veterans Council and masonic ritualistic service conducted be Fairmont Masonic Lodge #9 A.F. & A.M. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.fordfuneralhomes.com.