Dave Welch Sr. was called Home by his Savior on Sunday, June 1st, 2025. Dave was an incredible man who loved Jesus with all his heart. As a devoted Christ-follower, serving the Lord in every aspect of his life was truly his first and foremost priority. That was evident in everything he did, but especially in the way that he LOVED his family! He was also a patriot through and through. Many of you witnessed the fact that he was beyond passionate about God, his family, and his country, and he worked tirelessly to make that evident. The impact that he has had in the State of Texas and in this nation cannot be overstated; however, he would tell you without hesitation that his family was his lifetime achievement and his greatest accomplishment. He was proud of every one of his children and never ceased to make every get-together special in any way that only he could. He developed little traditions with each of his kids in their childhoods and was sure to keep those traditions every time he knew he would see one of them! His greatest joy in the last years of his life was spending time with his 20 grandchildren. He made time to visit and play as often as he could. Though they are spread out across the country, he made the effort to be a part of their lives and memories. Every one of them absolutely adored their grandfather and he will be missed and loved for years to come! He loved music, and many different genres at that. Big Band music had a special place in his heart, and he was a talented saxophonist. He loved to play for his kids and grandkids and never failed to walk outside every New Year just after midnight to play Auld Lang Zine for all the world to hear! He went all in on any and everything that he did.

Dave Welch Sr. was born on July 29th, 1961 in Seattle, WA to his father, Herb Welch and mother, Joan Cross. He grew up on the Pacific Peninsula and spent much of his young life in and around the Wishkah Valley, Aberdeen, WA. He graduated from Hoquiam Highschool, class of 1979 and was a proud Grizzly! He went on to Grays Harbor Community College where he graduated with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice. His plan was to either join the U.S. Marine Corps or become a Washington State Patrol Officer. The Lord had other plans for his life.

He met a very special young lady named Valerie Cotton who would go on to change his life forever in the best way possible! They were married on September 11, 1982 in a small ceremony at Aberdeen Assembly of God Church in Aberdeen, WA. They would go on to spend the next 42 years together. To the outside world it would appear that Dave was the one out there "saving the world." But it must be noted, as he would have insisted, that he would have given up on life long ago had it not been for the incredible support, love, encouragement, prayers, and dedication from the woman who changed her name to his, Valerie Lynn Welch.

He had been involved in grassroots politics since he was a young man, following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather. While he continued to attend every caucus meeting, city council meeting, and pound doors during every election cycle, he needed to make a living. He tried to get his foot in the door in several different industries, but nothing seemed to fit. They soon had a baby on the way and he decided to settle in and buckle down. He would go on to become a fairly unsuccessful automotive mechanic. Unsuccessful is a relative term. It was unsuccessful by normal standards because he ran it like a ministry instead of like a business. He began to network and build relationships through this ministry as he continued to love and bless everyone around. He moved from automotive mechanic to Executive Director overnight and had that role and title in several ministries over the years that moved he and his now five children all over the country. They settled in Texas in 1999 and he would go on to found a ministry that started as the Houston Area Pastor Council and grew into the U.S. Pastor council. This ministry was his vision, his passion, his dream. More than that, it was his true calling from the Lord. Through this ministry he, and the many men and women who stood beside him and supported him, including his family, would go on to have an impact that is truly immeasurable.

In addition to founding the USPC he also served on the board for the Cactus Rose Equine Foundation, a ministry that serves our veterans, law-enforcement officers, and first responders with their Healing Heroes with Horses program. Dave was passionate about this ministry as well and loved to minister to our communities' heroes through it. Dave's father and father-in-law were both Korean War veterans, and both of his sons are USMC veterans. Many more in his family spent their lives in law enforcement, and because of this he was beyond thrilled to serve in this capacity. His wife Valerie has asked that in lieu of flowers donations be made in his honor to the Cactus Rose Equine Foundation (see info below). Dave was a true leader and visionary in every aspect of his life.

He spent his life passionately devoted to his family, his country, and the truth of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer Welch, his grandson, Cody Morgan, his father, Herb Welch, and his mother, Joan Cross, and his brother Matthew Welch.

He is survived by his incredible wife of over 42 years, Valerie Lynn Welch, his son Dave Welch Jr. and wife Erika, his daughter Stephanie Buses and husband Benjamin, his daughter Lisa Morgan and husband Jonathan, his daughter Becca Tavera and husband Yorman, and his son Rick Welch and wife Grace. He is additionally survived by his 19 grandchildren, Keira, Katelyn, Guinevere, Emma, Paisley and Scarlett, Evelyn, Zachary and Josphine, Blake, Joshua, Natalie and Madison, Camille, Elodie, Cedric, Gianna and Wynnstan, and Juliette. He is also survived by his brother, Joe, sister Melissa, his brothers, Herb, Wayne, Jerry, and Jim, and sisters, Wendy and Sara.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Dave's honor to the Cactus Rose Equine Foundation: www.crequine.org/donate