Mr. Francis "Frank" Welch

Mr. Francis Grant "Frank" Welch, age 75, of 1705 South Main Street, Mount Airy, husband of Mrs. Jerrie Simmons Welch, went home to be with his Savior on Monday morning, February 24, 2014. He was born on May 25, 1938 in Surry County to the late George H. and Jessie Belton Welch. Mr. Welch was a faithful member of Bannertown Baptist Church, where he served as Deacon, Trustee, and Videographer. He was owner and operator of Frank Welch and Sons, a refrigeration and electrical contracting business established in 1981. Mr. Welch was a charter member of the Bannertown Volunteer Fire Department, and a former member of the Bannertown Ruritan Club. He was a kind man who dearly loved his family, church, and community. Over the years, he frequently and generously gave of his time and resources to support the causes that he loved. He enjoyed riding his tractor, watching baseball, and Nascar races. He rarely missed a chance to watch his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren participate in sporting events. Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Jerrie S. Welch, of the home, a daughter and son-in-law, Denise and Eddie Jordan, and four sons and daughters-in-law: Grant and Ginger Welch, Tim Welch and fiancée Katie Bolick, Mark and Michelle Welch, and David and Beth Welch, all of Mount Airy; nine grandchildren and spouses: Jason and Angel Dorsett of Mount Airy, Cindy Dorsett and fiance' Jay Adams of Charlotte, Jenna and Travis Grey of Mount Airy, Stephanie and Glenn Woods of Mount Airy, Staci and Toby Hiatt of Mount Airy, Tori Welch of Matthews, Nathan Welch of Mount Airy, and Luke and Mackenzie Welch of Mount Airy; two step-grandchildren: Tyler Paz and Ava Fisk, both of Mount Airy; nine great-grandchildren: Christopher, Evan, and Elizabeth Dorsett, Bryson and Emberleigh Grey, Blake, Brady, and Alyssa Woods, and Silas Hiatt, all of Mount Airy; sisters and brothers-in-law: Margaret and Al Tolbert of Mount Airy, Jane and Lynn Cook of Mount Airy, Nancy Welch and Marilyn Thornton of Lewisville, Pat Kinney of Mount Holly; and one brother and sister-in-law, Joe and Gail Welch of Jamestown. In addition to his parents, Mr. Welch was preceded in death by four sisters: Jessica Allred, Peggy Sue Welch, Dorothy Clifton, and LaRue Stanley; and two brothers: George Welch, Jr., and Charles Randall Welch. Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, February 27, 2014, at 2:00 p.m. at Bannertown Baptist Church. The service will be conducted by Rev. Mickey Cogdill and Rev. David Allred. Burial will follow at Skyline Memory Gardens. The family will receive friends on Wednesday from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at Bannertown Baptist Church. Flowers will be accepted, or memorials may be made to Bannertown Baptist Church Youth or Building Fund, 1834 Westfield Road, Mount Airy, NC 27030.