Robert "Bob" E. Welch
January 14, 1936 - October 14, 2021
Robert “Bob” E. Welch, Sr., 85 of Ada, Ohio, passed on October 14, 2021 at Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center in Lima, Ohio. Bob was born on January 14, 1936 in Dunlap, Tennessee. He was preceded in death by his parents: Harold E. and Laura B. (Lusk) Welch and one brother.
Bob is survived by two sons: Robert E. Welch, Jr. of San Antonio, Texas and Joseph A. Welch of Spicewood, Texas; one daughter Martha Ann “Annie” Osborne of Ada, Ohio; two grandchildren: Ariel Welch and Dirk X. Osborne.
Bob was a commercial artist his whole life. He worked for various companies over the years, notably Precious Moments and the Art Institute of Atlanta, Georgia. Following a troubling time with alcohol addiction, Bob became a born again Christian and for decades worked as a traveling preacher for the homeless and indigent in large cities across the United States. Bob spent the last decade of his life living and working in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee bringing joy to the lives of young children and adults alike. When no longer able to live alone he came to live with his daughter in Ada, Ohio.
Mr. Welch desired to be cremated and have his ashes scattered throughout the Tennessee Mountains that he loved.
A memorial service will be held on February 19, 2022 in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, followed by a scattering of his ashes.
Lafferty Funeral Home Incorporated is serving the family.