Charles Welch

1946 - 2021

Charles Dale Welch Sr., age 75, of Dobson, passed away unexpectedly on Monday morning, Nov. 1, 2021, at Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist surrounded by his loving family. Mr. Welch was born on June 15, 1946, in Surry County to the late Vincent Edmond Welch and Viola Jane Wood Welch. He graduated from Surry Central High School Class of 1964. He then prepared to serve our country in the United States Army. After graduating from basic training in Fort Benning, Georgia, he married his high school sweetheart, Judy Johnson, having had a loving marriage for 55 years. Charles was employed by Flowers Company for several years before becoming owner of Dobson Citgo in 1982 having just celebrated his 39th anniversary on Labor Day. According to close friend Gary York, "Dobson Citgo is a brand. People with needs would say, 'Call Charles.' Dobson Citgo is a very healthy family business. The relationship Charles had with York Oil's 51 years was unmatched by any other. Nothing could compare to it." He enjoyed work but in his spare time he enjoyed fishing, watching NASCAR races, floating on the river, sports in general as he was a former Dobson Yankees and Dobson Pirates coach, and spending time with his family. Charles was a devoted Baptist and long-time member of Salem Baptist Church in Dobson. He enjoyed greeting families and serving as Co-Head Usher. He was instrumental as a Building Committee member during the construction of the new sanctuary at Salem Baptist. He also was an active member of the Pairs-n-Spares Sunday School Class where he was known to grill a mouth-watering filet mignon. Charles was a loving husband, father, grandfather and father-in-law. Left to cherish his memories are his wife, Judy Johnson Welch; son, Charles Dale Welch Jr. of Dobson, daughter and son-in-law, Sherri and Barry Stockner of Mount Airy, and son and daughter-in-law, Brandon and Melissa Welch of Dobson; five adored grandchildren, Taylor Kiser, Kendall Welch, Destiny Welch, Dannie Lynn Welch, Charlee Mae Welch and one special great-grandchild, Madison Marie Tolbert; a sister, Betty Welch Jarvis and husband Neil Jarvis of Winston-Salem as well as numerous nieces and nephews along with many, many close friends. In addition to his parents, Charles was preceded in death by a brother, James Edmond Welch Sr. and an infant brother. The family will receive friends on Wednesday evening, Nov. 3, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Salem Baptist Church. The funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 4 at Salem Baptist Church by Rev. David Powell and Dr. Darrell Tate with burial to follow in the church cemetery. The body will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Dobson Elementary School Backpack Program, PO Box 253, Dobson, NC 27017. Online condolences may be made at www.moodyfuneralservices.com