Ronald Allen Welch, Sr. (Ronnie) wore many hats. He was a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, cousin, and friend. He was the second son of seven children, born on June 16, 1946 to the late Thomas Arthur and Rosa Lee (Hill) Welch.
After years of enduring multiple health issues, God in his infinite wisdom sent his Angel on March 22, 2021 to beckon Ronald home.
A lifelong native of Atlanta, Ronald graduated from Emma Clarissa Clement Elementary School and Booker T. Washington High School (Class of 1964). He was fondly known by friends and neighbors as "Weiner" because of his tall thin statue. After graduating from high school, Ronald was employed for a short time at Lockheed Martin AFB in Marietta, Ga.
In 1966, Ronald enlisted in the United States Air Force completing his Basic Training at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. He then transferred to Elgin Air Force Base, but his military service was interrupted in 1967 after serving only 11 months, due to the sudden death of his Mother and only living parent. He was granted an Honorable Discharge (for Hardship) to return home to Atlanta to assist in the raising of his younger siblings. In 1966, he was joined in Holy Matrimony to Lolita V. Ross and to this union two sons were born, Ronald Welch Jr. and Lorenzo Welch.
Ronald started another career with the United States Postal Service and worked there for years as a Postal Letter Carrier. He went back to school and received a Certificate from Atlanta Area Technical School as a Master Brick Mason, and subsequently worked in the construction industry for several years. Ronald was also a gifted painter and enjoyed his work.
Ronnie was an amazing, loving, giving individual. He enjoyed spending quality time with friends and family. Watching and intensely discussing Atlanta Falcon’s football with his sons was also a favorite pastime.
He also loved to fish and, in his retirement, traveled for many summers with his best friend Harvey Johnson to Maine to join his brother Thomas at Camp Armstrong, for their fishing excursions.
Ronnie leaves to mourn his passing two sons: Ronald Jr. (Verna) Welch, Atlanta, GA; Lorenzo (Takesha) Welch, Forest Park, GA; Siblings: Thomas Welch (Martha), Boston, MA; Janice Osei, Atlanta, GA; Cheryl Robinson (Arthur), Lithia Springs, GA; Sandra Alexander (John), Atlanta, GA; Arnita Gayle Welch, Atlanta, GA; Cedric James Bell, Macon, GA; Sister-in-Law, Kathy Welch, Sumter, SC; four grandchildren: Keyonta, Shayla, Makhi and Saniya; a great - granddaughter, Kalani; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his father, his mother, and one brother Richard Welch (Kathy), Sumter, SC. (2002).
"Afterglow "- In Memory of Ronald Allen Welch
I'd like the memory of me to be a happy one.
I'd like to leave an afterglow of smiles when life is done.
I'd like to leave an echo whispering softly down the ways,
Of happy times and laughing times and bright and sunny days.
I'd like the tears of those who grieve, to dry before the sun,
Of happy memories that I leave when my life is done.
