John Calvin Welch Jr.

1947 - 2024

John Calvin Welch, Jr.

December 4, 1947 - July 22, 2024

Charlotte, North Carolina - Best known for his hardworking, kind, and ethical demeanor, John Calvin Welch, Jr., 76 died peacefully with his family on July 22, 2024, in Charlotte, North Carolina.

John was born in High Point, North Carolina on December 4, 1947, to John Calvin Welch, Sr. and Hattie Shropshire Welch. Raised in a humble but proud home of four boys, John was a bright student that enjoyed reading and riding his bike throughout his school years and into his time at High Point Central High School. After school, John met and married his first wife Ann and welcomed their son John, III in 1967.

After a short career in restaurant management, John decided to earn his real estate license and began buying and selling homes for clients. He used to laugh when recounting the early days of real estate where the MLS listings were actual books to be sorted through and having to use a single physical key to gain entry to properties for showings. According to John, after speaking with any client, he only had to show them three houses to find the perfect one for them to buy. Eventually he started working for CBS Realty where he positively recalled his time with Jim Sweet, the owner of the company and his mentor and friend. While there, John continued to broker homes but also began working in residential property management as an extra service. After Jim's death in 1984, when the family chose to close down the business, John was allowed to start his own company during the transition, naming it Four Seasons Property Management, with just a handful of the properties that were still remaining.

At that time, he met his second wife, Betty. She remembers him telling her that he had nothing financially to give her at that time, but he loved her and wanted to start a life together with their three children, John, Susan and Sean. They were married on September 14, 1985, at St. Mary's Chapel in Charlotte, North Carolina by Reverend Alice Johnson, now retired pastor at Sardis Presbyterian Church. John continued to grow Four Seasons for almost 40 years, arriving everyday before 7:00 a.m. and rarely taking a day off unless Betty insisted, ultimately building the company from a few properties to over 650.

While work was a main focus, John also enjoyed playing chess. Anytime John picked up a new hobby, he chose to research and study it thoroughly. He often competed in chess tournaments and won many games due to his dedicated study habits and quick mind, eventually reaching a rating of 1524. He had lifetime memberships in both the NC and US Chess Federations. John also enjoyed playing golf, spending many weekends doing so at Olde Sycamore Golf Course and on the coast while at John and Betty's second home at Ocean Drive, North Myrtle Beach. Eventually retiring in 2021, John continued playing chess and golf, along with traveling around the world with Betty and other friends.

John was a quiet, reserved man who did not believe in small talk but meant what he said and said what he meant. Your word and reputation were everything and he expected honesty from everyone that was close to him both personally and professionally. He was a man of faith both in his childhood and throughout his adult life, spending over 40 years serving various leadership roles, including Deacon and Elder at Sardis Presbyterian Church. His family with his beloved wife Betty was a priority to him, along with his three children, five grandchildren, and one very important fur baby Heidi. In fact, the grandchildren often felt Heidi outranked them in most family events. His calm, practical, and loving attitude will forever be missed by all.

John was preceded in death by his father and mother, John Calvin, Sr. and Hattie Welch, brothers Ira, Robert, and Grady Welch, and his adored fur baby Heidi. He will be remembered fondly and is survived by his wife Betty Petticord Welch, children John Calvin Welch, III (Beth Bryenton), Susan Jones Amick (Joel Amick), Sean Douglas Jones (Rebecca Jones), and grandchildren Brandon Thomas Welch (Allie Welch), Victoria Catherine Amick, Ryan Alexander Welch, Rachel Caroline Jones, Megan Alyssa Jones and many other loving relatives.

A service of faith and remembrance will be held at Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Road, Charlotte, North Carolina 28270 at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 14, 2024, with refreshments to follow. Donations in his name may be made to Sardis Presbyterian Church Youth Programs, The Humane Society of Charlotte, or the charity of your choice.