Gordon E. Welch

1933 - 2019

Gordon E. Welch

San Antonio, TX

Gordon E. Welch, 85, of San Antonio, passed away on January 29, 2019. He was born in Sabinal, Texas to Everett Daniel Welch and Loyce Pruitt Welch on August 20, 1933. He married Erma Jo Taylor on June 1, 1957 in Uvalde, Texas.

He graduated in May of 1950 from Uvalde High School at the age of 16 and worked for the highway department as a common laborer for one year. His Naval service began in 1951during the Korean War and he served as aradio man on the U.S.S Angler submarine for fifteen months and then transferred to the U.S.S. Bang until he was honorably discharged from the Navy in August 1955.

He went to school on the GI Bill and received his associate s degree from Southwest Texas Jr. College in 1957. He received a Bachelor of Sciencein 1960 and Master s degree in1962from Southwest Texas State University and a PhD with a major in Microbiology and minor in biochemistry in 1966 from Texas A&M University. He taught biology at San Antonio College for one year and then went to Angelo State University as an assistant professor of biology in 1967. He was promoted to associate professor and assistant to the Dean of the University in 1969. In 1971, he was promoted to professor of biology and Dean of the New College of Sciences which he served for 23 years. He was also appointed by Governor Brisco to serve on the State Board of Examiners in the Basic Sciences. While Dean of Sciences, he served as chairman of the committee for the Roy E. Moon Distinguished Lectureship in Sciences. As Chairman for 16 years, he was able to bring 13 Nobel Prize Winners to Angelo State University. He retired on June 1, 1996 after 29 years at Angelo State University.

After retirement Gordon and Erma moved to Lake Sam Rayburn where he enjoyed his favorite hobby of bass fishing. After 8 enjoyable years in East Texas, they decided to return closer to their family in Bandera, Texas.

Gordon is preceded in death by his parents, his wife Erma, two sisters Beverly Loyce Welch and Karen Janelle Dicke, three brothers, Allan Earl Welch and Ivan Alfred Welch and Larry Wayne Welch, two nieces Laura Devon Welch and Stacie Lyn Heaton.

Gordon is survived by two daughters, Lana Dee Rollans (Mark) and Valerie Lynn Tatum (Aaron), and one son Glenn Everett Welch (Christina). Three sisters Linda Gayle Davis (Marshall), Marsha Kay Heaton (Danny), and Janna Sue Welch. Two brothers Terry Don Welch and Dwayne Pruitt Welch (Terri). Two Sisters-in-law Sharron K. Welch and Sherri Wright Welch. Six grandchildren Sarah Rene Tiner (Kyle), Austin Dean Tatum (Debbe), Lauren Deeann Rollans, Christopher Robert Tatum (Claire), George Everett Welch, Henry Kerford Welch. Two great children Grace Kelly Tiner and Bentley Rollans Tiner.

Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 pm Friday February 1, 2019 at Grimes Funeral Chapel 1214 Mulberry, Bandera, TX 78003.

Funeral services will be held Saturday 10:00 am February 2, 2019 at Grimes Funeral Chapel, 1214 Mulberry, Bandera, TX 78003 with Rev. Kyle Toomire officiating. Burial will follow at Bandera Cemetery.

Pall bearers will be Mark Rollans, Aaron Tatum, Austin Tatum, Christopher Tatum, Blake Dicke, and Tully Welch.

Memorials may be given to C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation at 297 SW 41st Street, Renton, WA 98057 or on their website https://castforkids.networkforgood.com in lieu of flowers. The C.A.S.T. for Kids Foundation enriches the lives of children with special needs, supports their families, and strengthens communities through the sport of fishing.

The family invites you to send condolences at http://grimesfuneralchapels.com by selecting the "Send Condolences" link.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to Grimes Funeral Chapels of Bandera.