John Bob Welch

Rev. Dr. John B. Welch July 13, 1929 - October 7, 2020 John Bob Welch was born on July 13, 1929, in Hickory, Oklahoma to Loyd and Helen (Ewing) Welch. He passed from this life on October 7, 2020 at the age of 91. John spent his childhood in Hickory and Roff, Oklahoma where he lived until WWII when his family moved to Oklahoma City. John graduated high school in 1947 from Capital Hill High School, where he was an outstanding football player. He gained the title of “Mr. Little” for being an outstanding running back. John’s Senior year he crowned the Homecoming Football Queen, who became his queen for life in 1948. John and Gloria Ann Hill were united in marriage October 30, 1948, and would have been married 72 years this month. John and Gloria have three children: Kathie Lynn Hood, Jane Ellen Bagerian and Jerry Bob Welch. John worked 10 years at Oklahoma Natural Gas Company before beginning his ministry in 1956. He graduated with a bachelors degree from Oklahoma City University (OCU) in 1959, Southern Methodist University in Dallas with a Bachelors of Divinity degree in 1962, and received an Honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity from OCU in 1992. John served pastoral appointments at Pond Creek, Maysville/Whitebead, Pryor, Grand Avenue in McAlester, Clinton First and Altus First before completing his career as Bartlesville District Superintendent. He served as Chairman of the Cabinet, served on the OCU Board of Directors and was the first pastor in the State of Oklahoma to serve eight years as a District Superintendent. John loved serving the Lord and greatly enjoyed being with family and watching OU football or any sports. John was a member of the McFarlin United Methodist Church in Norman. He touched so many lives throughout his many years in the ministry and will be greatly missed by family and friends alike. John was preceded in death by his mother and father; a special aunt and uncle Buck and Billie Leary; brother Loyd Welch and wife Donna; in-laws Lois and Lillie Mae Hill; brother and sister-in-law Frank and Deloris Mock; brother-in-law Bill Cockrell and twin sons in 1952. John is survived by wife Gloria of Lexington, OK; daughters: Kathie Hood and husband Jack of Purcell, OK; and Jane Bagerian and husband Chris of Dallas, TX; son Jerry Welch of Moore, OK; sister Billie Cockrell of OKC and brother Joe Welch and wife Carol of Lenexa, Kansas. John is also survived by: Grandchildren: Stacy Carter, Kelly Romesburg and husband Garret; and Tiffany Amber Jessee. Also, Erich Hood and wife Jennifer; Robin Rist and husband Marvin; Cory Hood and wife Rachel; Benjamin Hood; and Kelly Staller and husband Clark. Great grandchildren: Jill and Taylor Farrell; Kamdyn and Karter Stokes and Hudson Romesburg; and Madison and Makayla Jessee. Also, Tristen, Julien, and Erica Hood; Nicole and Rheanin Rist; Alex and Jordan Hood; and Ulysses and Ryker Staller. Also, precious great, great granddaughters McKenna Shea Lynn Self and Aria Lynn Acasia’ Salas. A visitation for friends and family will be held from 5 to 7, Sunday, October 11, 2020 at Winans Funeral Home, Maysville, OK. An additional visitation and viewing will be held on Monday, October 12 at the First United Methodist Church, Maysville, from 12 to 1:45 at which time the casket will be closed not to be reopened. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 Monday at the First United Methodist Church officiated by Rev. Dr. David Thomas and Bro. Danny Gamble. Burial will be under the direction of John W. Williams of Winans Funeral Home, Maysville. Burial will follow at the Maysville Cemetery.