Ring legend Lester Welch, a member of the Fuller/Welch/Fields pro wrestling clan passed away on Friday. I was honored to be on the Board of Directors of our Gulf Coast Wrestlers Reunion with him, and worked on many of the events he promoted for Florida Championship Wrestling back in the day, as well as making so many shows in his airplane.
My sincere prayers and sympathies go out to his wonderful wife Lucille, his two sons Jack and Roy Lee, and all of his family.
The following is Lester's obituary from The Pensacola News Journal this morning:
LESTER A. WELCH, SR.1924 - 2009
Lester Welch, Sr., age 85, of Pensacola, passed away Friday, September 18, 2009. He was an entrepreneur in several construction and manufacturing businesses, including Better Built Toolboxes, Quality Specialty Products and Superior Aluminum Trailers. He was a professional wrestler and in 2004, he was inducted into the Cauliflower Alley Hall of Fame. Mr. Welch served in WW II as a decorated veteran of the U.S. Navy. He was a great pilot, he was a skilled horseman, and he promoted and participated in rodeos. He was a life time member of the AQHA.He was preceded in death by his parents, Ed and Birdie Welch; three brothers; three sisters; and one daughter, Patricia Lucille Welch.He leaves behind his loving wife of 66 years, Lucille Gann Welch; two sons, Lester A. "Jack" Welch, Jr. (Kay) and Roy Lee Welch; five grandchildren, Lester A. "Rocky" Welch, III (Dawn), Roy Lee "Jason" Welch, Jr., Travis Edward Welch, Steven Trent Welch (Laura) and Derek Anthony Welch; six great-grandchildren, Valarie Ann Welch, Jacob Thomas Welch, Grace Marie Welch, Lillie Victoria Welch, Casey Alexander Welch and Zoe Madison Welch; one sister, Lucy Irene McDonald; numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.Pallbearers will be his family and honorary pallbearers will be his great-grandsons.Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at Faith Chapel Funeral Home South, 100 Beverly Pkwy, with Pastor Bobby Simmons officiating.Interment will follow in Barrancas National Cemetery.The family will receive friends at Faith Chapel South one hour prior to the service on Tuesday.
You and view the obituary and sign his guestbook at the following link: LESTER WELCH OBITUARY AND GUESTBOOK
Three years ago today, in 2006, my wife Dianna was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time. We didn't have a clue that three short years later she would be gone. I cannot stress too much how important it is for you ladies to do your monthly exams, and get your mammograms. Guys... remind them! It can happen to anybody!
Be Blessed.
~Percy
