Nathan Welch, 60, of El Paso, Texas (formerly of Shelbyville) passed from this life on Saturday, April 21, 2018 in El Paso.

 

Graveside service will be held at 3:30 p.m., Sunday, April 29, 2018, at Rather Cemetery in Shelbyville.  Visitation will be held prior to the service, beginning at 1:00 p.m.

 

Nathan was born in Dallas, Texas on November 18, 1957, to James B. and Sarah Judith (Judy) Welch. He graduated from Shelbyville High School with the Class of 1976. Upon graduation, Nathan enlisted in the United States Air Force, in service to his country on active duty for 4 years, followed by 2 years of service in the Air Force Reserves. After military service, Nathan earned certifications and gained experience in air conditioning and heating maintenance before going back into aircraft maintenance with Boeing in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Later, Nathan returned to Shelby County, where he re-opened Welch's Grocery, the country store his family had owned and operated from 1970 to the mid-1980's in the Dreka community. Ultimately, Nathan moved to El Paso, Texas, where he met and made a home of twenty-three years with Diane and worked as a maintenance supervisor until the time of his death.

 

Nathan was devoted to his family and friends, and those relationships were his highest priorities in life. He enjoyed cooking for the people around him, with a particular fondness for seafood and Creole recipes, and, with the move west, had added "grill master" to his list of culinary skills. He was an avid collector, especially of Native American artifacts, and loved carefully crafting his own arrowheads and spear tips. His attention to detail also carried into his daily vocation, where he is fondly remembered as always expecting quality work, both from himself and from those around him.

 

All who knew and loved Nathan Welch feel deeply the void that has been left by his passing. His trademark wit, tell-it-like-it-is candor, and generous, loving spirit are gone from this earth, but never from our hearts.

 

Nathan was preceded in death by his father, James B. Welch, and his brother, Norman Welch.

 

He is survived by his wife, Diane, and her daughter Tristin and family of St. Louis, Missouri, his mother, Judy Welch, his brother, Roy Welch, his brother, Gordon Welch and wife Debbie, all of Shelbyville, and his niece, Lanie Welch Fitzgerald and husband Ryan, of Levelland, Texas, as well as numerous friends and extended family.

 

Online condolences & tributes can be sent at www.watsonandsonsfuneralhome.com