Donald E Welch

Donald E. Welch passed away February 25, 2014 at his home in Brooker, FL (New River Area); he was with family at his home. Donald was known to be a hard working man. He was always going 90 miles a minute at anything he did. He was known for saying, "Daylight is burnin' darks a comin, " and that is how he lived his life up until his last days. It gave him great joy to know he would soon be going home.
Donald worked for 13 years for Bradford Furniture in Starke, FL in his early life. He farmed all of his life in some way. He was known for many years as being a hog farmer while he lived in Union County, FL on the farm he grew up. In 1977, he and his family moved to Bradford County in the New River Area, where he bought a chicken farm. He was a chicken farmer until 1992. Also during this time he started driving a semi with his nephew, Johnny Welch and they went all over the United States making deliveries. In 1992, he began vegetable farming and in 1993 he started driving for Pritchett Trucking in Lake Butler, FL and continued working until he became sick in April of 2013. During those 20 years he still was farming: raising goats, hogs, chickens, ducks, geese, and always had a huge vegetable garden in the spring and summer. During his life in Brooker a family came to work for him in 1982 and part of them have continued to work for him. Rachel was his caregiver during the 10 months he was sick, and Ernie has been his right hand man since he was 4 yrs old.
Donald married Beverly Green from Brooker, FL on April 7, 1960 at New River Baptist Church. Together they had four daughters. Donald was a loving husband and father, a good provider, and a wonderful teacher about life lessons. He raised his daughters to always love, care, and help everyone no matter if they were rich or poor and the persons race was never to be a question as to if you helped them. Donald, in his late 20's preached at Graham Baptist Church in Graham, FL. Donald loved Jesus Christ and tried to always display Christ. We are thankful for grace & that he is in heaven now.
Donald is survived by his family who loved him very much. His wife is Beverly G. Welch, his four daughters: Robin Dukes (Michael), Zona Sue Welch (aka Susie), Priscilla Conner (Randy), Rebekah Huffman (Pete) and 11 grandchildren: Will Dukes (Shannon), Amanda Futch, Maci Dukes, Charlie Futch, Brandon Futch, Kayla Alvarez(Jesse), Melissa McNeal (Tim), Seth Dukes, Randa Conner, Hanna Conner, Emily Huffman: and 6 great-grandchildren: Gabe McNeal, Eli Dukes, Konner Futch, Huck Alvarez, Ayda Jean McNeal, and Lily Dukes.
Donald was preceded in death by his Father - Charlie Welch, Mother-Jessie Mae Welch, brother-Robert (Rob) Welch and brother John Welch.

Mr. Welch is being taken care of by Archer Funeral Home in Lake Butler, FL and his viewing will be Feb. 27, 2014 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm, and his funeral will be at New River Baptist Church on Feb. 28, 2014 at 3:30 pm. He will be laid to rest at a later time.