John Clifton Welch Jr, a beloved father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend, passed away peacefully on April 29, 2026, at the age of 87 in Temple.

Born on April 6, 1939, in Wichita, Kansas, to John Clifton Welch Sr and Henrietta Welch, the family moved to Taylor at an early age while his dad served in the military.

Raised in Taylor, John was a proud fouryear letterman for the Fighting Taylor Ducks playing football, baseball and running track. John proudly recalls being told by his football coach when playing a big-name talent reciting how the running back would do everything to avoid John even when he wasn’t in the play.

He employed “the flipper” — a forearm shiver — to his opponents and later preached this method to his sons. John was also known to be a bit of a grease monkey, souping up cars to be hot rods and undoubtedly pushing speed limits around the Taylor area.

After Taylor, John continued his education at Southern Methodist University, graduating with his undergraduate degree in business while a member of Phi Delta Theta fraternity. John made lifelong friends amongst the Phi Delts, with many preceding John to that Fraternity party in the heavens.

John used his business acumen initially in the aviation industry for what is now United Airlines but at the time was Texas International, often butting heads with little upstart airlines named Southwest and Braniff on route matters

with the FAA. After accepting a role to run Texas International’s south Texas operations, the family moved to McAllen, where John parlayed an interest in the citrus business into becoming General Manager and President of the largest citrus company in the Rio Grande Valley.

John later returned to the part of Texas he knew best, settling in Taylor initially and finally in Holland, accompanied by his Labrador Retriever(s) Captain Hook, Sierra, Major and finally Duke.

John especially enjoyed initially watching his sons compete in athletics, followed by his grandchildren. He tried to travel and make as many games as he could and was easily heard among crowds exhorting his offspring to get a hit, throw a touchdown pass or make a tackle.

He also taught them his love for the outdoors and enjoyed partaking in those activities at every available chance. The dove hunting spot in Taylor became an annual event year after year and gave his sons and grandchildren the chance to enjoy mutual comradery.

There were bragging rights on the line for the most efficient shooter. He was affectionately known by his sons as “Le Bleu Whale,” and by his grandchildren and great grandchildren as “Pop Pop.” Pop Pop never missed a birthday with a call — when he could figure out how to use a cell phone — or a card.

John is survived by his older sister Joan Shrader, his three sons and spouses, John III and Denise, Jeff and Susan, and Brian and Alice Ann; seven grandchildren, Adam, Lindsey and Kyle; Jeffrey, Ashley and Taylor; and Abby; and two great grandchildren, Levi James Welch and Ryan Grace Welch. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Sr and Henrietta, and his younger brother Jim.

A graveside service will be conducted in Taylor in the near future, where John’s urn will be buried next to his beloved parents and younger brother.