Mark Welch passed away surrounded by family at his home in Ocean Springs, MS on May 21st, 2017. Mark was born August 10, 1930 in Elk City, OK. He was the eldest of two children born to Melvin and Velma Welch. Growing up, he attended 12 schools across Texas and Oklahoma as his father traveled frequently working for the CCC during the Great Depression. He graduated from Helena High School in 1948 and then attended Oklahoma A&M for two years. In 1950, he enlisted in the Coast Guard and served for 3 years during the Korean War. Mark graduated from Wichita State with a BS in Industrial Engineering and a Master in Business Administration. Upon graduation, he worked for Boeing in Wichita, KS and Ingalls Shipbuilding in Ocean Springs, MS.

Mark Welch is preceded in death by his father, Melvin Welch, and mother, Velma Welch. Mark is survived by his sister, Melva Joy; his beloved wife of 60 years, Carolyn Welch, his children, Rex Welch, Sherri Lenz, Scot Welch and Tara Okullo; and 12 grandchildren, Rachael Helmke, Jamie Bothello, Sophie Roberts, Shelby Welch, Tucker Welch, Riley Welch, Cooper Welch, Cort Welch and Cody Welch, Salem Okullo, Alana Okullo, and Keon Okullo; and 4 great grandchildren, Jackson Helmke, Reese Helmke, Avelin Bothello and Annelise Bothello.

Mark was a wonderful, caring Dad who loved God and his family foremost. He loved his wife of 60 years and affectionately called her his “angel”. He enjoyed working on the family wheat farm in central Oklahoma with his father. Mark was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the Coast Guard. Mark often entertained his family and friends playing his piano and ukulele. He was a great singer. He would wake up during the night and sing. He had a wonderful sense of humor and lived a full life. Mark received certificates of bravery for rattlesnake hunting and rescued stranded boaters as a member of the Coast Guard auxiliary. He will be dearly missed. He loved Jesus and there were many signs of Jesus’s love the day Mark entered Heaven.

In Lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the First Baptist Church of Helena in care of Lanman Funeral Home, 309 E. 4th, Helena, OK 73741.

Funeral services will be held at the First Baptist Church of Helena, OK on Wednesday May 31st at 10:00 AM. The family will receive friends from 9:00 am until service time at the church. Interment will follow in Good Hope Cemetery under the direction of Lanman Funeral Home.

Share your memories of Mark and send condolences to the family at www.lanmanmemorials.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mark Pomeroy Welch, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.