Thomas E. Welsh, age 89, passed away Wednesday, February 21, 2007 at the Life Care Center of Skagit Valley in Sedro-Woolley, WA.
He was born January 21, 1918 in Bellingham, WA, the son of Morris and Victoria Taylor Welsh.
Tom grew up in Bow and graduated from Edison Union High School in 1936. He served with the CCC’s and later played professional baseball with the Hollywood Stars in the Pacific Coast League. He enlisted in the US Army in 1940 and served during WWII in the Pacific Theatre in New Guinea and the Philippines until his discharge in 1945.
He was married to Mary Walker on October 12, 1941. From 1945 till 1950, Tom resided in Concrete working at the cement plant . After moving to Sedro-Woolley in 1950, he worked in construction working on all the major dams in the upper Skagit Valley and was a past business agent for Laborer Local #901.
Tom was an active member and past commander of George Baldridge Post #43 American Legion, a past 2nd District Commander of the American Legion and a member of the Concrete VFW. He played baseball on various teams in the Valley and coached Little League and American Legion Baseball. Tom was an active bowler for many years and bowled up until April of last year.
He is survived by his children; Jackie Angleton and her husband Lynn of Jerseyville, IL, Daniel Welsh and his partner Denise Hughey of Mount Vernon, Mike Welsh and his wife Patricia of Cameron Park, CA, and Bill Welsh and his wife Barbara of Arlington, WA. 12 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. A sister, Elaine Athearn of Sedro-Woolley and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Mary in October of last year, and a brother Jack Welsh.
Graveside Memorial Inurnment Services will be Tuesday, February 27, 2007 at 2:00PM at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery with Pastor Del Somers of the Hillcrest Christian Fellowship of Mount Vernon officiating with Military Honors to follow by George Baldridge Post #43 American Legion. Memorials are suggested to Skagit Valley Kidney Center PO Box 1376 Mount Vernon, WA 98273 or American Heart Association Northwest 4414 Woodland Park Ave N. Seattle, WA 98103. Arrangements and Services under the care of Lemley Chapel, Sedro-Woolley.