Jerry Houston Welch Obituary (1936 - 2020)

MADISON - Jerry Houston Welch, 84, died on Thursday, December 24, 2020 at Moses Cone Hospital. The funeral service will conducted at 2 p.m., Tuesday, December 29, 2020 in the Colonial Funeral Home Chapel with Reverend Randy Jessup officiating. Interment will follow in Woodland Cemetery with military honors by the Rockingham County Honor Guard and the United States Marine Corps. The family will receive friends beginning at 12:00 p.m., Tuesday at the funeral home. Social distancing guidelines will apply and face coverings are requested. Mr. Welch was born on September 27, 1936 in Arkansas to the late Robin Welch and Frances Hays Welch. At the age of seven, Jerry and his family moved to San Diego, California, where following high school, he joined the United States Marine Corps. He spent the first ten years as an enlisted man attaining rank of Staff Sergeant and in 1964 he attended Officer's Candidate School and was promoted to Warrant Officer. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant in Vietnam, and retired as a Major in 1976. During his time in the Marine Corps, Jerry was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Action Ribbon, Vietnamese Meritorious Unit Citation, Cross of Gallantry with Palm, Expert Badge - Rifle, Expert Badge - Pistol, Certificate of Commendation and Letter of Appreciation. He served as an Infantryman, Truck Driver, Military Policeman, Drill Instructor, Helicopter Mechanic, Aviation Supply Officer and Ground Supply Officer and held six Enlisted Ranks; two Warrant Officer Ranks and four Commissioned Officer Ranks. Jerry always commented that his career as a Marine was the most satisfying time in his life. Fifteen days after Jerry retired from military service, he was sworn in as the Chief of Police for the Town of Madison. After ten years in Madison, he was appointed Chief of Police in New Bern in 1986. He was days away from retirement in New Bern when the position of Chief of Police in Madison became available. Jerry applied and was rehired as the Chief of Police in Madison and held that position until his retirement. He also served a four year term on the Madison Town Board. Chief Welch holds the distinction of being the only individual on record to hold the position of Chief of Police for everyday of a thirty year career. Jerry served for many years as President of the North Carolina Police Chiefs Association and currently served on the boards of the Madison-Rockingham Rescue Squad and the Rockingham County Marine Corps League. He obtained his B.S. Degree from Guilford College and the Advanced Law Enforcement Certification from the State of North Carolina. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Welch. Survivors include his wife of sixty-two years, Gay Bullins Welch, of the home; children, Jerri "Renee" Atkins and husband, Alan of Stoneville and Jeffrey Blane Welch and wife, Kathy of New Bern; grandchildren, Alan "Seth" Atkins and wife, Suzanne of Lincolnton and Alana "Katie" Kathryn Atkins of Chapel Hill; brother, Steven Welch and wife, Shirley and sister, Shirley Savage and husband, Roger, all of San Diego, California and special sister-in-law, Margaret Casford of Pace, Florida. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions in memory of Chief Welch to the Hands of God, PO Box 358, Madison, NC 27025, Lot 2540, 411 S. 2nd Avenue, Mayodan, NC 27027 or a local family or child in need. Colonial Funeral Home in Madison is serving the family. Condolences may be offered at www.colonialfh.net.