Reverend Gordon Kenneth Welch Jr. “Spanky”

Published 4:46 pm Thursday, July 13, 2017

Reverend Gordon Kenneth Welch Jr. “Spanky,” 79, of 159 Fitzsimmons Hill Road, Elizabethton, went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, July 12, 2017, from the Johnson City Medical Center. Reverend Welch was born in Carter County on February 13, 1938 to the late Gordon Kenneth Welch Sr. and Rose M. Little Welch. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Cathy Aaron, and a brother, Tyler Welch.
Reverend Welch retired as a supervisor at Inland Corporation. He was both a member and retired Pastor of Northside Baptist Church, where he had served as Pastor for 38 years. He was a United States Marine veteran. Reverend Welch enjoyed being outside and studying the Bible.
Those left to cherish his memory include his wife of 35 years, Margaret Sluder Welch, of the home; two daughters, Deborah Myers and husband Phillip of Elizabethton, and Julie Storie and husband Steve of Watauga; three sons, Gordon Kenneth Welch III of Virginia, Jeffrey Welch and Brian Taylor, both of Elizabethton; seven grandchildren, Tristen, Samuel, Sarah, Kenny, Isaac, Bethany and Crystal; several great-grandchildren; two sisters, Betty Wiley and husband Jim and Brenda Hartnett and husband Bob, all of Atlanta, Ga.; and his special friends, Randy and Theresa Cole of Elizabethton.
A service to honor and celebrate the life of Reverend Gordon Kenneth Welch Jr. “Spanky,” will be conducted at 7 p.m. Monday, July 17, in the Chapel of Peace at Tetrick Funeral Home of Elizabethton with Pastor Shannon Sims officiating. Music will be provided by Randy and Theresa Cole. The family will receive friends in the funeral home chapel from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday, prior to the service, or at the residence at any time. The graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 18, at Happy Valley Memorial Park with Pastor Mike Dickinson officiating. Military Honors will be accorded by the Carter County Honor Guard. Active pallbearers will be Tristen Storie, Steve Storie, Gordon Kenneth Welch III, Samuel Myers, Isaac Welch and Nicholas Nunley. Those wishing to attend the graveside service are asked to meet at Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton, at 10:15 a.m. Tuesday to go in procession. Online condolences may be shared with the family at our website www.tetrickfuneralhome.com
Reverend Welch and his family are in the care of Tetrick Funeral Home, Elizabethton. Office: (423) 542-2232. Obituary Line: (423) 543-4917.