James Wymore Welch

WELCH, James Wymore, 80, of Virginia Beach, Va., died Saturday, August 16, 2008. He was preceded in death by his wife of nearly 50 years, Laura Eliza Cotton Welch. A Fan District resident since 1966, he was born in Omaha, Nebraska on June 7, 1928 to the late Walter James Welch and Edythe Ann Welch. Mr. Welch was a retired U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer, who served during World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam Era. His military medals include the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, "V" Device for Valor, Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, two Presidential Unit Citations, Combat Infantrymans Badge and 18 other decorations for his career of service to his country. During the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962, as a member of the Arlant Forward Task Force, he assisted in the preparation of President Kennedy's War Room at Homestead Air Force Base in Florida. His last duty assignment prior to his retirement, was a Chief Criminal Investigation C.I.D., with responsibility for investigations in Virginia. He was a member of the Retired Officer's Association and a life member of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, and the American Legion Post #84 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. Mr. Welch was also an artist. His paintings have received honors and purchase awards in juried and non-juried art events. They are exhibited in museums in Nebraska, South Korea, Tokyo and Kyoto, Japan, as well as numerous corporate and private art collections. He was a guest instructor in abstract painting at the University of Panama, and guest lecturer in western U.S. Art for the State Department in South Korea. He was past president of the Metropolitan Artists Association, and was listed in Who's Who in American Art. He graduated from the George Washington University. He was a licensed private pilot. Mr. Welch was active in Scouting as an Explorer Advisor, Merit Badge Counselor and Committeeman. He was an Eagle Scout, and awarded the Silver Explorer Scouting Medal, and was admitted to the Order of the Arrow. He was a member of the American Society of Industrial Security as a Certified Protection Professional. He served on the Board of the Episcopal Book Store and the Richmond Public Library. He was a member of Chesterfield Masonic Lodge No. 141, AF&AM. Mr. Welch was president of Jefferson Bank Shares affiliate Charter Properties, Inc., as well as Corporate Security Officer. He belonged to St. James Episcopal Church. He is survived by his two brothers and two sisters-in-law, W. William Welch and Ruth Welch, of Sarasota, Fla., Thomas M. Welch of Richmond, and Margaret Cotton of Laguna Hills, Calif. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, including Paul Carter Welch of San Francisco, Calif., and Steven Cotton of Friday Harbor, Wash; and his close friend, Laura Watson. His remains rest at Bliley's - Central, 3801 Augusta Ave., where the family will receive friends 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, and where services will be held 11 a.m. Thursday. Entombment Hollywood Chapel Mausoleum. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Bon Secours Hospice, 5875 Bremo Rd., Suite 710, Richmond, Va. 23226.
This obituary was originally published in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.