Thomas Andrew Welch

Thomas Andrew Welch, passed peacefully on March 25, 2021 at the age of 65, with his daughter, Jodee, and granddaughters by his side. Thomas was born in Madison, Wisconsin on July 11, 1955 to parents, James M. Welch and Carolynn Welch. His family grew up on a farm in Baraboo, Wisconsin and he was the youngest of three children. He has two sisters, Donna Platt and Jaris Traw. Thomas loved and enjoyed fishing, camping, and being outdoors; traveling so much that he drove semi-trucks for over 10 years. His wife, Jodee, alongside him, eventually settled down in Corning, Iowa. After the passing of his wife in 2015, he moved to Grandbay, AL to live with his daughter, Jodee and Ray (son-in-law), grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Thomas traded snow for hurricanes to be closer to his family. He enjoyed eating seafood, but most of all having fresh-caught seafood, which was always a blessing. He enjoyed chats with his granddaughter, Michelle about the fishing her family did in the Gulf and offshore. They always made plans to have him come. Thomas also enjoyed gardening and eating fresh veggies from the garden his granddaughter Michelle grew and he enjoyed long chats over what her family was planting for the season. He always gave pointers and advice but most importantly always offered to eat whatever she harvested, except beets, but especially squash. Thomas was a die-hard Green Bay Packers fan. He enjoyed watching football so much that when football season came around you would find him and his granddaughter, Amber (die-hard Saints fan) watching it together. They truly enjoyed it. You would hear the both of them yelling foul calls or should-be first downs at the TV that the referees should be calling. When and if their teams ever played against each, it was surely a fun day. Thomas was especially proud of his grandsons, Kevin, Dillon, and Trace Spencer. He was always saying how fine gentlemen they had become and just how proud he was of them. He always talked about how nervous he was when he heard their Harleys start and “the guys went on a ride.” Soon after Thomas moved in he found out Kevin, the oldest of his three grandsons, had an old soul for music and a love for some of the music Thomas enjoyed listening to and playing in his room. Thomas was always snapping pictures with his granddaughter, Brittany, even though he didn’t enjoy it as much. She would always reply, “It's memories and they matter.” So he agreed to let her snap away. He would always have the excuse that his hair wasn’t fixed properly. Thomas was a very humorous guy. Thomas was very proud of his youngest granddaughter, Cheyenne. They would spend hours at his latest job, where he was a driver. They went on several field trips together. Last Halloween Cheyenne went to the Community Center for their annual party. She was scared to walk the haunted walk so Grandpa went first and he laughed so hard because she still never walked through. They spent so much time together, that they would get on each other’s nerves. Almost daily they would fuss at each other, but not a night went by that you didn’t hear Cheyenne say “Goodnight, Grandpa, love you,” and he would respond “Goodnight Sweetheart, love you too.” Thomas was always trying to think of something for lunch and dinner. He watched day after day, night after night as his son-in-law and daughter came home from long shifts at work. He always felt he would try to have dinner ready for all of the family, even for every Sunday family dinner. There was just a few things he wasn’t allowed to cook and one thing was GRITS! As his son-in-law, Ray, would agree, Dad fixed grits and eggs once for Ray, and never again would he be able to redeem himself. It has been a family joke and story between the two for years. Left to honor, cherish, and remember his love are his daughter, Jodee (Ray) Spencer; sisters, Donna Platt and Jaris (Jeri) Traw; seven grandchildren, Michelle (Aaron), Kevin (Marie), Dillon (Sophye), Amber (Logan), Trace (Taylor), Brittany (Hunter), and Cheyenne; four great-grandchildren, Brantley, John, Aubrie, and Paislee (due in June 2021); nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many friends. Preceding Thomas in death were his wife, Jodee Bee Welch; father- and mother-in-law, Charles and Elenore Mallory; his father, James Welch; mother, Carolynn Welch; and his youngest daughter, Nichole Michelle Jarrard. Visitation will be held at Friendship Baptist Church on April 21, 2021 for family from 9am to 10am, friends beginning at 10am to 11am. Luncheon to follow right after at Friendship Baptist Church, 12581 Saeger Road, Grand Bay, AL. Thomas made his wishes that in lieu of flowers, for donations to be made to Parkway Animal, 2551 Dauphin Island Parkway, Mobile, Al 36605, because of the love for his cats.

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Thomas Andrew Welch

July 11, 1955 - March 25, 2021