Gary Lee Welch, a resident of Cottonwood, died Saturday, October 14, 2017 at Southeast Alabama Medical Center. He was 54.

Funeral services for Gary will be held at 1 PM Tuesday, October 17, 2017 in Clearman Chapel at Southern Heritage with Pastor Richard Smith officiating. Burial will follow in the Mt. of Olives cemetery. The family will receive friends from 11 AM until 12:45 PM prior to the services at the funeral home.

Gary was born in Donalsonville, Georgia September 18, 1963 to the late Henry Howard and Emma Jean Terry Welch. He grew up in the Ashford and Cottonwood area and was a 1982 graduate of Cottonwood High School. Gary was a devout Christian and the spiritual leader of his home. He was a member of First Baptist Cottonwood where he served as a Deacon. Gary had a love for the outdoors and enjoyed boating, fishing and working his garden.

Gary is preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Allen and Lamar Welch.

Survivors include his wife of 34 years, Marie Welch; two daughters and sons in law, Crystal and Kenny Robinson, Jennifer and Scotty Matthews; four grandchildren, Brian, Landon, Chloe and Noah; sister, Christine Cochran (David); 2 sisters in law, Gail Welch and Diane Bradley; four brothers, Earl Welch (Sue), Billy Welch (Judy), Arthur Welch and Phillip Welch (Okpun).

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