Michael Alan Welch
1958-2016
Mike was born on November 11, 1958 in Oklahoma City to C.L. and Dorthy (Donly) Welch. Surrounded by family and friends, Mike entered God’s Heavenly Kingdom on July 22, 2016 after a brief illness. Mike grew up in Oklahoma and Texas and while in Texas, he became a lifelong University of Texas Longhorn fan. Mike graduated from John Marshall High School and attended Rose State College in Oklahoma City. Mike worked in the oil and gas industry, for the United States Postal Service for many years and most recently worked for Tuner Brother’s Pipe-Trucking, Inc. Mike was very athletic and played football, baseball and wrestled in high school. He really enjoyed playing softball and continued to play for many years. Mike loved hunting, 4-wheeling, camping and greatly enjoyed his time at the “farm” near Snyder, Oklahoma, with his long-time friends. Mike was a great cook and loved to barbecue and try new recipes. He enjoyed country western dancing and loved watching old westerns.
Mike is survived by his loving wife Mary L. Epps-Welch. They were united in marriage on November 17, 2000 in Guthrie, Oklahoma. Mike is also survived by his Uncle and Aunt, Bill and Deanie Hendrix of Erie, CO and cousins Eric and Dana (Hendrix) Hepker of Erie, CO, Brad and Susie Hendrix of Boulder, CO, Mac McAlister of Castle Pines, CO, Aunt Lena May Pitchford of Chickasha, OK and Aunt Bernice Scott of Ada, OK. Mike is also survived by brothers and sisters-in-laws- Gary and Sandra Epps of Edmond, Oklahoma; Craig and Natalie Epps of Dewey, Oklahoma, and Janice Epps Gorbaty of Meraux, Louisiana. His nieces and nephews: Travis and Amy David of Edmond, Oklahoma, Robyn and Todd Ramer of Edmond, Oklahoma, Gary and Heather Ellis of Coweta, Oklahoma, Jason Gorbaty of Edmond, Oklahoma, and Russell Gorbaty of Arabi, Louisiana. Mike is also survived by many great nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Mike was preceded in death by his parents. C.L. and Dorthy Welch and his brother Steven D. Welch. His grandparents’ Clarence and Gracy May (Garner) Welch and Ozzie and Goldie Donly.
A celebration of Mike’s life will be held at Matthews Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 26, at 10:00 am. A viewing will be held Monday, July 25th from 6:00pm-8:00pm. Memorials are suggested to the National Foundation for Transplants (NFT) in memory of Mike Welch.
So sorry for your loss. Mike was a great guy from what I knew of him from John Marshall. Great in sports and very popular at the high school. R.I.P. Mike. You will be missed.
oh man , I’m sad, I havnt seen or talked to mike a,aka, bull since high school.
I was allways asking about him, I wish we would have kept in contact, a nice guy,rip mike bull welch
First met Mike ages ago when we were kids. He would visit his grandmother at her mobile home. Then we met again in High School. Great guy. My condolences to his family. Sorry we lost touch.
The fondest memories I have with Mike is at our Grandparents home on the front porch. Our older brothers, Steven & Brad, would be inside with the food. Mike and I thought it was much more important to spend our time swinging off the porch ~ all the while singing every Elvis song we knew! We never heard, “Be quiet” or “Be careful” for that matter. It was sweet and innocent, back then we were free to just be kids. Mike was the only cousin that was my junior, a year separated us. I thank Mike for being a little buddy who would hang out with me. Looking back I’m sure he would have rather been with the big guys. He was always a friend… even though I was a girl!
I deeply appreciate his life and the gentle soul we will miss.
Mary, you are forever in our prayers.
Love, Dana