James Frederick Welsh

Jim, a lifelong resident of Granville, died Wednesday, March 22, 2017 at his home.  He was born November 12, 1942 in Newark to the late Carl W. and Martha E. (Forsythe) Welsh, the owners and operators of Welsh’s Grocery of Granville.

He graduated from Granville High School in 1961.   Jim worked for many years at B & L Motor Freight and with the Granville School District as a bus driver/maintenance.   He retired from Contour Forming of Newark in 2009.

He was a volunteer with the Granville Township Fire Department for over 30 years, joining them as a high school student and achieving the rank of Chief.

Jim served in the US Army from 1964 – 1970.  He was passionate about helping veterans, being a lifetime member of the American Legion Granville Post 398 since 1971.  Jim served as Sergeant-at-Arms for the Department of Ohio, 6th District Commander and is the current Finance Officer of the 6th District, and held various chairmanships through the years.    Jim is the State Region 4 Commissioner for Legion Baseball and a Buckeye Boys State Commissioner.  He won the Granville Sertoma Service to Mankind Award.

He was a charter member of AMVETS Post 345 of Newark, where he received the Licking County Veteran of the Year in 2005.  He was also a charter member of Licking County Veterans Alliance; a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America; and a member of 40-8 Voiture 28.

He is survived by his wife, Jennifer L. (Philipps) Welsh of almost 49 years; daughters, Amy E. Welsh and Jennifer “Annie”  (Michael) Quintrell of Granville;  granddaughter, Megan E. (Kristofer) Kasson of Heath; a great-granddaughter on the way; sisters, Patricia A. (Jack) Tatham of Columbus, and Nancy S. (Jim) Dumbauld of Newark; brother-in-law, Warren C. (Cheryl) Philipps of Johns Creek, Georgia;  and many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by sister-in-laws, Sylvia Dee (Philipps) McClain and Suzanne L. (Philipps) Wiget; and many aunts and uncles.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations be made in Jim’s name to Buckeye Boys State or Ohio American Legion Baseball, both at PO Box 8007, Delaware, Ohio 43015.

The family would like to thank Hospice of Central Ohio for their compassion and care they provided to Jim and his family.

A funeral service will be held Monday, March 27, 2017 at 10:00 A.M. at Centenary United Methodist Church, 102 E. Broadway, in Granville.  Burial will follow at Welsh Hills Cemetery with military honors.  Visitation will be Sunday from 1 to 3 P.M. and 5 to 7 P.M. with an American Legion service at 6:30 P.M. at the McPEEK-HOEKSTRA FUNERAL HOME, 133 S. Prospect St., in Granville.  Online condolences may be expressed at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com