Lee Kimmel Welch

Lee Kimmel Welch
July 28, 1946- November 2, 2024
Beloved husband, father, and grandfather.
Beloved brother, uncle, and friend.
A man who knew only how to be and do his best.
A man whose judgement and wisdom were sought and trusted. A calm and steady voice of logic and reason. A man whose faith, character, sense of duty and honor guided his life and the life of his family.
An historian, scholar, wordsmith, and writer. A communicator. Orator and tutor.
A toy maker, craftsman, and photographer. A snow skier. A scuba diver.
A remodeler of homes. A restorer of cars. An electrician.
An organizer. A planner. A listener. A lifetime runner. A first responder to anyone in need.
A pilot.
Kim Welch was born in Greenville, SC July 28, 1946 to Elizabeth (Norris) and Jack Tatum Welch. They and his sister, Judy, precede him in passing. He is loved and survived by his wife of 56 years, Sheila, and daughter Allison Tannery and her husband Blake, and daughter Carrie Welch. Five grandchildren, Jake, Kat, Blue, and Hart Tannery; and James Welch. Also, his beloved sister, Becky and her husband Larry Shields, nephews, Camden Shields and his wife Allison, Hayden Shields and his wife Dakota, and brother-in law, Eddie O'Shields, along with wonderful extended family and friends.
Kim grew up in Spartanburg, SC. where family and life-long friends, Billy and Susan Israel still reside. He graduated from the University of South Carolina where he was a member of the Chi Psi fraternity and served as its 1967-68 Number One (president). Upon graduation, he received his commission as a U. S. Naval officer. One week later, he married his high school sweetheart and began Naval flight training in Pensacola, Florida. At age 24, he served as a P-3 Orion Plane Commander during the Viet Nam War. After five years, he resigned his commission with the dream of becoming an airline pilot. Kim lived that dream. His love of flying never wavered and spanned a 53- year career, including 29 years with Delta Air Lines and a second career as a corporate pilot. He was grateful every day.
At Delta, Kim worked tirelessly to make the life of the pilot safer, better. His last two years there were spent as Chief of Staff for former Delta Air Line Pilot Association Chairman and friend, John Malone. John adds: Union Leadership recognized Kim's talent and selfless work ethic.
His detail-oriented mind led to a substantial period of service to his fellow Delta pilots. He wrote a manual to help pilots (and Management) understand the intricacies of the Federal Aviation Rules combined with the Union Contract. The manual, When Scheduling Calls, became the gold standard for the everyday life of the pilot.
A note from Sheila:
Fourteen years ago, long before Kim's own diagnosis, he and I began a free dementia education ministry, Loving Through Dementia: lovingthroughdementia.org
One of this ministry's missions is to help others understand that people who live with dementia are still here Kim embodied that truth. The Lewy Body dementia and Parkinsonism that stole abilities one by one and eventually took his life never took Kim from us. His faith, his character, his love and concern for family, his determination to protect and provide for others, and his love of country remained.
His bravery continues to inspire and strengthen us.
*We will gather at our home on January 4, 2025, to remember and celebrate Kim. We hope you can join us.
3:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.
870 Crossfire Ridge
Marietta, GA 30064