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Finis Welch Obituary
1938-2020
Finis Welch passed away unexpectedly on August 24, 2020. A resident of Bryan and Centerville, Texas, Finis was a world-renowned economist, highly successful entrepreneur and accomplished rancher. The son of Edgar Joe Welch and Addie Houston Welch, Finis Welch was born July 11, 1938 in Pasadena, Texas, and graduated from Pasadena High School.
He went on to earn a PhD in economics from The University of Chicago in 1966 and subsequently had a distinguished career as a Professor of Economics at several leading universities, including UCLA and Texas A&M University. He is widely regarded as one of the world's preeminent labor economists. His achievements in labor economics earned him the prestigious Jacob Mincer Award in 2007, and he was elected Vice-President of the American Economic Association in 2002.
Finis was the founder and President of Welch Consulting, Ltd, a renowned economics consulting firm. In addition, Finis was cofounder of StataCorp LLC, the firm that develops Stata, the statistical software for data scientists that is used worldwide.
Finis was the owner and operator of Center Ranch in Centerville, Texas, where he raised cattle and horses for over 35 years. His cutting-horse operation produced many top-quality horses, including the NCHA 2012 Open Futurity Champion Tuff-Hearted Cat that was sired by Woody-Be-Tuff who stands stud on Center Ranch.
Finis is the founder and sole benefactor of the Finis Welch Foundation. The foundation reflects Finis' lifelong commitment to education and provides scholarships to high-achieving students who attend public universities in Texas.
Finis is survived by his two daughters Melissa Lea Welch and Marci Lynn Welch, both of Dallas, Texas. He was preceded in death by his beloved son Samuel Oliver Welch, who died in a tragic car accident at the age of 21 in 1993.
Finis was a devoted father, renowned economist, successful businessman, and mentor and friend to many. Finis will be missed. A memorial service will be planned at a later date.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Finis Welch
6 Entries
JO ELLARD
August 22, 2023
How interesting. I thought of Finis just this weekend. I miss our visits at the coliseum watching our cutting horses. What made me think of Finis was I reviewing the room layouts at Bowie House, the hotel I am building in Fort Worth. Its ADA rooms are so lovely & how I wish I could show them to Finis. He would have loved them. I miss my friend.
Doyle Welch
September 1, 2020
Finis was my friend, my uncle and mentor. His commitment to family was admirable, selfishly giving of himself with much grace. His commitment to our nation’s commerce and his business was exemplary. He built an empire and made contributions that have and will continue to shape our economic society. Finis was a mans man, always about improving everything. His friendship, stories and wit will always be with us. I do love my remembrance of him. Wish I could hear that deep boisterous voice of his once more.
Goodbye my good friend, hope to see you on the other side.
Edwin Cordray
August 28, 2020
I’ve known Finis since 1st grade. Terrific guy. He will be missed
JO ELLARD
August 28, 2020
Finis was an amazing and fascinating man who was quick to share his philosophies on many interests. I always enjoyed the conversations we shared. Im very saddened to hear of his passing. Finis will be remembered and his legacy will continue not only in the many opportunities he has made possible in education of youth but in our mutual world of cutting horses and many other areas of interest in which Finis shared his resources.
August 28, 2020
George Chappell
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