Ted Houston Welch

Ted Houston Welch

Nashville, TN

Ted Houston Welch, Nashville businessman and longtime fundraiser for the Republican Party, passed away Saturday, March 8th, 2014. Mr. Welch passed away at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

He is survived by his loving wife of 30 years, Colleen Conway Welch. Ted had 3 adoring daughters with Joanne C. Thornton.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Hilda Houston, his father, Louis Welch; his sister, Patsy Welch Peach; brother, Fred Welch and his oldest daughter, Kala Welch MacLeod of Nashville.

He is survived by his daughters, Terri Welch Schmidt-Fellner and Alicia Welch Davenport, both of Atlanta. He left behind sons-in-law, Don Macleod, Blair Schmidt-Fellner and David Davenport. He is also survived by his sister, Mae Welch Phy of McEwen; loving friend, Gwen Collier; his sisters-in-law, Peggy Conway, and Kathy Conway and her daughter, his goddaughter, Lexi Woop. Ted had 5 grandchildren, Lauren MacLeod, Meredith Macleod, Tee Schmidt-Fellner, Alex Schmidt-Fellner, Pierce Schmidt-Fellner, and many nieces and nephews. He will be greatly missed by his adored dogs, Sarge and Little Bit, and his cat, TC.

A celebration of his life will be held on Saturday, March 15th at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 2:30 p.m. After the service, the family will be receiving visitors at the Welch residence.

Honorary Pallbearers include: Senator Lamar Alexander, Janet and Jim Ayers, Russell Boac, Julie and Dr. Frank Boehm, Senator Bill Brock, Jean and Denny Bottorff, Dr. Daniel Claassen, Gwen Collier, Charlotte and Tom Cone, the Honorable Lew Conner, Senator Bob Corker, David Davenport, Governor Winfield Dunn, Senator Bill Frist, Bill Hagerty, Governor Bill Haslam, Jim Haslam, Spencer Hayes, Nancy and Billy Ray Hearn, Debbie Hill, Darlene Holland, Gordon Inman, Dr. Kathy Kunkel, Sandra Lipman, Don MacLeod, Rob McCabe, Rick Michaels, Susie Overman, Dr. John Peach, Bob Perkins, Blair Scmidt-Fellner, John Seigenthaler, Mary Ruth and Bob Shell, Susan and Luke Simmons, Steven Smith, Ellen Smogur, Bobby Thomas, Ben Wilkenson, Howard Wilkins and Steve Woodard.

A powerhouse in the commercial real estate community Ted developed office buildings, redeveloped downtown Nashville, including the convention center. For nearly thirty years, Ted's second home was with his loyal staff in the Renaissance Office Tower, a building he developed. His passion was the art of political fundraising. Calling on Republican donors, the seven words feared most: "Ted Welch is holding on line one." His legacy spanned decades and resulted in national recognition and respect.

He served as Commissioner of Finance and Administration and Chief Operating Officer for the State of Tennessee (1971 - 1974), and State Finance Chairman for Lamar Alexander's first bid for Governor. He was Finance Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party, Finance Chairman of the National Committee and established the Eagles Program. Upon their request Welch raised significant funds for Presidential candidates Howard Baker, Ronald Reagan, George Herbert Walker Bush, Bob Dole and John Connally, Ted and Senator Baker co-found the Republican Majority Fund (1981 - 1986) to support U.S. Senate and House candidates. The fund grew into the second-largest political action committee in the country.

He was very active in the 1984 re-election effort for President Reagan. As Chair of the President's Dinner in Washington, DC in 1985, and raised more than $6 million to support U.S. Senate House candidates. The following year, he served as Chairman of the Southern Republican Leadership Conference which drew more than 1,500 people, twice the size of the largest conference at that time. He was chosen as the Tennessee Republican Statesman of the Year in 1987, presented by Henry Kissinger and Howard Baker.

He served as Regional Finance Chairman for Bush/Quayle for both bids, was elevated to National Finance Chairman for the Primary, and served as National Chairman for Victory '92 for the general election. Ted served as Finance Chairman for Lamar Alexander's 1996 and 2000 Presidential campaigns, and for Alexander's Senatorial campaign. Welch was General Chairman of the Republican National Committee's annual fundraising gala that raised more than $11.3 million, a record amount in 1997. In 2000, he served on the Executive Finance Committee of Bush for President, and served as Finance Chairman of Tenn PAC, which he co-founded with Alexander.

He served as senior fellow for the public policy and politics at the US Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the Board of Directors. He also served on the Boards of Directors of the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce, FirstBank and National Health Investors Corp (NHIC).

Born in 1933, Mr.Welch graduated from the University of Tennessee/Martin with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1955. He was Junior Class President, Captain of the football team and a member of the boxing, track and tennis teams. He also attended Indiana University's Business School.

In his early life, Ted and his brother Fred followed the wheat harvest to send his parents to college so they could become teachers. His work ethic continued in his career at Southwester Publishing Co. as a student salesman and manager. He became a full time employee in 1958 and remained with the company until 1971 where he honed his world class salesmanship. During his tenure there he served as Executive Vice President, was a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.

In 1989, Mr. Welch received the Outstanding Alumni Award at the University of Tennessee/Martin. He was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Law degree from Freed-Hardeman University in 1998, where he established the Patsey Welcch-Peach scholarship fund in honor of his late sister.

Ted and his wife, Colleen Conway-Welch, heavily involved in local philanthropy, was a founder of Nashville's Schermerhorn Symphony Center. He served on the Board of Directors, as well as being active with the Arts and Business Council of Greater Nashville, and a former board member of the Lexington Seminary.

He will be cremated and his ashes scattered in the ocean near Nassau by his family.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Vanderbilt University School of Nursing scholarship fund or the Nashville Humane Society at 213 Oceola Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee 37209.