Donald James Welch

Spartanburg, SC- Donald James Welch peacefully entered into Eternal Rest on January 22, 2016, after a life well lived for over 84 years. Born in Ashland, Kentucky on April 9, 1931 to John and Mary Welch, Don was the sixth of their eight children. He was educated in the public schools of Ashland before earning a Bachelor of Arts degree from Union College in Barbourville, Kentucky and a Masters of Divinity from Duke University. After returning to Kentucky in 1954, Don was ordained as a Methodist minister. He married Nancy Wilder of Corbin, Kentucky and began his career in the ministry and college administration, serving as Pastor of Methodist churches in Williamsburg and Berea, KY, and on the college faculties of Union and Berea Colleges. Don and his family moved to Durham, North Carolina in 1964 where he served as the Assistant Dean of the Duke Divinity School. In 1969, Don was named as the Wofford College Dean of Students and later College Chaplain. While at Wofford he also taught religion, philosophy, public speaking and humanities. Don became President of the Scarritt Graduate School for Sacred Music and Religious Education in Nashville, Tennessee in 1979 where he served for 10 years. Thereafter, Don and Nancy moved to Macon, Georgia, and there he was the Vice-President of Wesleyan College. After retiring from Wesleyan College, Don returned to his true calling, and became Pastor of Park Memorial United Methodist Church in Macon. In 1999 Don and Nancy moved to Seven Lakes near Pinehurst, North Carolina to retire and play golf, but his willingness to serve would not permit retirement! Don served as Pastor of McDonald's Chapel Presbyterian Church and the Parish Associate of West End Presbyterian Church. In 2005 he became the first resident minister of Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines, an ecumenical congregation, which he served until his full retirement in 2013, at which time he and Nancy moved to Summit Hills in Spartanburg, SC. During his career, Don was honored with many awards for his professional achievements and contributions to his communities including an Honorary Doctorate Degree of Humanities from McMurray College. Don was known and loved as a man of creative thinking, sound judgment and good humor. He possessed a love of teaching and preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout his life. Don was well known for teaching inspirational Bible study courses, and fondly remembered for his beautiful tenor voice which he shared in choirs, ensembles and community theaters. Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nancy; daughters, Sarah Welch Gunn (Billy) of Spartanburg and Margaret Anne Welch of Wellington, FL; son, James Vincent Welch of Greensboro, NC; grandchildren, Elizabeth Kathleen Gunn Burris (Will) of Scottsdale, AZ, Mary Margaret Gunn Langford (John) of Columbia, SC, James William Scoggins and Joseph Norris Scoggins (Lauren) of Spartanburg, SC and Mary Kate Welch of Charlotte, NC; brother, David O. Welch (Joyce) of Ashland, KY; and three great-grandchildren. A Memorial Service will be conducted on Friday January 29th, 11:00AM at Central United Methodist Church, Spartanburg, SC. The family will receive friends immediately following the service in the Fellowship Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Don's memory be made to Central United Methodist Church, 233 North Church Street, Spartanburg, SC 29301, The Advent Foundation, 141 Advent Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302, McDonalds Chapel Presbyterian Church,1374 Foxfire Rd Aberdeen, NC 28315 or Seven Lakes Chapel in the Pines, 2125 Seven Lakes South, West End, NC 27376.