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John Welfare Obituary
John Welfare, 64, passed away on June 2, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina, the city where he was born and spent much of his life. Born on July 6, 1960 in Charlotte to Susan and Henry Welfare, John grew up with a strong sense of family and community. He pursued higher education with determination and excellence, earning an undergraduate degree in Business Management from Duke University. His passion for the outdoors led him to further his studies with a graduate degree in Environmental Science. John dedicated three decades of his professional life to Deloitte, where he became a respected figure not only for his expertise but also for his unwavering commitment to mentoring others. Many colleagues credit their own success to John's guidance and support-his legacy within the company is one of leadership through compassion and integrity. Beyond his career, John was a man of many passions. An avid fisherman, he found peace and joy on the water. He loved traveling the world, exploring new landscapes with curiosity and enthusiasm. At home, he nurtured a vibrant garden and cultivated orchids with care-a reflection of his patience and appreciation for God's creation. His happiest moments were those spent surrounded by family. John's faith was an enduring part of his life. Raised in the Moravian church, he later became a devoted member of Providence Road Church of Christ, where he worshipped for over 30 years. He is lovingly remembered by his wife, Sandy Welfare; daughters Jamie Watford (and her husband Nick Watford) and Emily Welfare; granddaughters Mila, Haven, Hadley, and Navy; sister-in-law Anne Welfare; as well as many cousins and extended family members. John was preceded in death by his parents Susan and Henry Welfare; sister Lynn Mendenhall; and brother Hank Welfare. John will be remembered as a loyal friend, dedicated father and grandfather, loving husband, world traveler, mentor, and man of deep faith. May his memory bring comfort to all who knew him. A Celebration of Life will be held on June 14, 2025, at 01:00 PM at Providence Road Church Of Christ (4900 Providence Road). We would love for everyone to wear shades of green or earth tones in honor of John. There will be an ice cream reception after the service to honor his love of ice cream.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Joe Summer
June 18, 2025
Sandy and family, I am sorry to learn of John´s passing. Our fishing friendship goes back to the early 1980´s when we fished Upper Creek, Watauga, and Stone Mountain up to when we fished at Twin Rivers a few years ago. John was a master student of God´s creation. I will always be thankful for our shared passion. Joe Summer
Jeff Plewa
June 14, 2025
I´m so sorry to hear of John´s passing. I had the honor and pleasure of working with John for many years. He was incredibly smart, hard working, funny, and he was a great guy to travel with. He always talked about his family and it was obvious how incredibly important his family was to him.
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Bob Ruprecht
June 12, 2025
I had the privilege to work with John for over a decade at Deloitte where he was a respected leader of our people and our practice, and trusted advisor to our clients. John role modeled the values of professionalism - responsibility, teamwork, trust, and results. So too in his personal life, he demonstrated the love and care for his family and friends that will cause us to miss him dearly, but be ever thankful for his challenging spirit, his courageous strength and his enduring memory.
RIP my Blue Devil friend!
Sharon Chaplinsky
June 9, 2025
I knew John through the Piedmont Orchid Society.
I think our friendship started with John loaning plants to the society put in an exhibit at an orchid show. I would drive to his house before the show and pack up a car load of plants. One time I was driving to grab some plants and called let him know I was 15 minutes away (and in a hurry). He said he was still fishing and asked if I could I pick him up by the lake and said he just hooked a fish. When I got there and he was still fighting the fish and told me to get ready to take picture. Fifteen minutes later he finally caught it and I have the pictures of him grinning from ear to ear with the giant fish.
Over the last couple of years John became even more involved with the society. He came to helped set up an exhibit (curiosity final got the better of him). He won an AOS award at one of the shows for his orchid which is a really big deal for an orchid grower. John and Sandy hosted the orchid society´s Christmas party at their house which was wonderful (everyone got to see his plants). He presented a lecture on growing orchids for the society and knocked it out of the park. John was incredible generous and many of our members myself included have plants from him.
To close, John was wonderful person. I will miss him and think of him often as his giant orange orchid is the first thing I see when I walk into my greenhouse. My prayers and sincere sympathy to all of your family members.
Evelyn Spach Tolin
June 9, 2025
Re-establishing my relationship with my cousin John and his lovely wife Sandy is up there as one of the great accomplishments of my life. The best thing you can say about John: a Truly Good Man.
Jennifer Rokus R Heath
June 9, 2025
Reading these tributes, I realize that it is even more of an honor to have met John at Duke in 1978. We met when we both volunteered for Circle K, which was not a gas station but a small on-campus group affiliated with the Kiwanis Club and dedicated to charitable activities in Durham. Fast forward 15 years and we ran into each other Uptown. He reminded me he was a native and I explained that I now lived here as I married one. Have enjoyed seeing John´s fishing and family fun on Facebook through the years. Will remember John for his life-long purpose of helping others. Rest well faithful servant, Blue Devil, loving husband and father.
Alex Deaton
June 6, 2025
Remembering hard, yet successful client work with John at Price Waterhouse and later at Deloitte. Alex Deaton
Joy Johnson
June 5, 2025
John was a servant leader. He truly imitated Christ through out his life. John gave the marginalized jobs and housing.
When my husband and I got out of jail, Sandy and John let us stay in one of their rental properties. They also babysat our mean dog when no one else would. I remember John´s love for dachshunds, Taco Bell and ice cream. John loved in his actions not just his words. John is now in heaven surrounded by his dachshunds and his loved ones. Probably doing some fishing with Jesus. Joe and I love you John .
Doug Eberhart
June 5, 2025
Sandy and family, I am so sorry for your loss. Sadly I will be out of town next Saturday. I really respected John. Although it has been a number of years since I had seen him, the memories at PR were fresh. I am so sorry for your loss. Doug Eberhart
Steve Weaver
June 4, 2025
I met John several years ago when we both owned property at Twin Rivers and he was the stream quality guy. More recently, John loaned me several fly rods for a salt water trip with a friend who had lost his wife to an unexpected heart attack. I was not fully equipped for such a trip, but John very graciously helped me out. A bonus was sharing a trip to his yard to talk plants and orchids- we both loved horticulture and fishing! I visited with him again a few weeks ago when I returned his rods and he was very upbeat and feeling better. I was shocked and saddened to hear the news of his passing today. He was a gentle, kind, and intellectually curious guy that I always enjoyed having a conversation with. My sincere sympathy to all of his family.- Steve Weaver
Brad Bradley
June 4, 2025
I first met John in 1983 or 84. He was a new member at our church and pretty young in his faith. The church had a program to match up younger Christians with a partner. Only by God´s providence I was paired with him. We went through the course together and soon became friends. And of course, both of us liked to fish.
Back in the 80´s the two of us drove down to Lake Okeechobee in Florida. We had little money so we packed a tent and actually camped in the guide´s back yard! The next day we had a big day catching bass.
Another year, John, Sandy, Teri and I went down to Boca Grande so John and I could go Tarpon fishing. Neither of us had ever been. He and I have known each other for over 40 years now and there are many more great stories. Alaska a few years back, norther Michigan, fishing in private ponds, sitting in his boat and just talking about life and faith.
But the biggest thing I want to mention here is his unselfish heart. He wanted to serve, and most of the time John (and Sandy) would serve "the least of these"; people who were down and out, had no place to live or stay. They would take them in and give them a place to live. Over and over again. John served through his unselfish actions and not by telling others about it. That says a lot about his heart. He was so witty as well.
For 40 years whenever he would call me on the phone he would greet me with "MFCTBB" which stood for "my favorite Christian, the Brad Bradley". And whenever I called him it was "MFCJSW". He started that and it carries on.
Lastly, John was tough, gritty and a man´s man. He endured so many health issues over the years but kept plugging. This was always an inspiration to me.
I love you John.
Jill Wilde
June 4, 2025
So saddened to learn of the loss of John. I have many fond memories of John from the Charlotte office. He will be missed by the Deloitte family and beyond.
Mike Harrell
June 4, 2025
John was a great and generous guy, I'll miss his humor immensely. He helped me catch my first Wyoming cutthroat trout - after a couple pointed, helpful, and only slightly painful questions about what I thought I was doing.
Doug Engel
June 4, 2025
Highly respected colleague for so many years. Fellow fisherman. Many travels. We all will miss you. Tight lines my friend.
Russell Ranson
June 4, 2025
I will miss John. He was a great friend, fisherman and guide. John was a remarkable example of living fully!
Russell
June 4, 2025
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