Lester Ray Welch Jr.

Mr. Lester “Ray” Welch Jr, of Farmbrooke Lane, entered Heaven on Monday, December 30th, 2024 at his home.

A memorial service will be held in his honor at First Presbyterian Church, Winston Salem, on Friday, January 10th, 2025 at 2 P.M.

Mr. Welch was born on October 4th, 1941 to Lester Ray Welch Sr. and Martha Black Welch in Mullens,  West Virginia.

Mr. Welch served in the United States Air Force during the Vietnam Conflict, then worked as the Director of Human Resources at Piedmont Airlines and US Air for 35 years. He was a man of many talents and interests. He was an avid gardener and craftsman, specializing in beautiful pottery and stained glass. Of deeply rooted faith, he was an active member of the First Presbyterian Church in Winston Salem, where he participated in Small Group, and volunteered for Wednesday Night Live and the overnight homeless shelter. He also proudly volunteered with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Forsyth County and served as the President of the North Carolina Blue Bird Society for nine years. Mr. Welch, an Eagle Scout, also proudly served as a Cub Scout leader.

Mr. Welch was preceded in death by his parents, and a nephew Joseph Gilbert.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife of 63 years, Ruth “Betsy” Mason Welch of the home, daughters Lisa Cude (Deen), Diana Prochnow (Greg), sister Martha Gilbert (Jim), brother David Welch (Sherry), grandchildren Emily Ramsey (Lee), Elizabeth Cude, Caitlin Prochnow, Morgan Prochnow, and one great-grandson Hudson Ramsey.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to one of the following organizations, North Carolina Bluebird Society, 4600 Chandler Grove Ct, Raleigh, NC 27612, Habitat For Humanity of Forsyth County, 1023 West 14th Street, Winston Salem, NC 27105, First Presbyterian Church, 300 N Cherry Street, Winston Salem, NC 27101.