David Welch

1934 - 2016

ASHLAND - David O. Welch, 82, lifeling resident of Ashland, passed away Saturday, October 29, 2016, at King's Daughters Medical Center. He was born September 5, 1934, in Ashland one of 8 children to the late John Leslie Welch and Mary Elizabeth Hammond Welch. David was a graduate of Ashland High School, Berea College and Harvard Law School. He practiced law for 58 years. David was a longtime member of the Board of Trustees of Berea College and currently served as an Honorary Trustee. He served as Corporation Counsel for the city of Ashland and then went on to serve as Mayor from 1976-1980. He was a founding member of the Ashland Human Rights Commission. He served as chair and was a longtime member of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights and was later inducted into the inaugural class of the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights Hall of Fame. He was a current member of the Committee of Equal Opportunities of the Kentucky Council on Post-Secondary Education. Survivors include his loving wife of 61 years, Joyce Ann Loy Welch of Ashland; sons, Scott Welch and wife, Laura of Charleston, WV, and Kevin Welch of Frankfort, KY; daughter, Cathy Welch Culbertson and husband, Robert of Georgetown, KY; grandchildren, Cam Culbertson (Serena), Will Culbertson (Katherine), Cate Culbertson Mart (Matthew), John Culbertson; and four great grandchildren. A time of remembrance will be held at 7pm Thursday, November 3, 2016, at Steen Funeral Home Central Avenue Chapel. Visitation will be from 5-7pm Thursday. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made In Memory of David Welch to Berea College, CPO 2203, Berea, KY 40404.