Celebrating the life of
Thomas Cooper Welch III
March 07, 1939 - April 18, 2012
Thomas Cooper Welch III
Thomas Cooper Welch III, 73, died Wednesday, April 18, 2012 at St. Joseph's Hospital. He was born on James Island, South Carolina, son of Thomas Cooper Welch Jr. and Kennon Smathers Welch. Mr. Welch attended Clemson University where he became a member of Tau Beta Pi, received a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering and became a lifetime member of ASME. After graduation, he served as a Captain in the United States Army on active duty during the Cuban Missile Crisis and later in reserve status. He was retired from International Paper formerly Union Camp Corporation as an engineer. During his tenure, he served as Director, Project 913 which gave the Savannah Mill the ability to fire coal as an alternative to gas and oil. He became General Superintendent, Power Maintenance and Engineering, in 1982 making him responsible for the mill maintenance budget and the operating budget for the Power Department. Mr. Welch later became Director of Pulp and Paper Projects, Corporate Engineering Division, where he successfully completed 13 projects in three locations at a cost of $500 million dollars. Mr. Welch was an avid boatman who spent many hours on the Wilmington River and Intracoastal Waterway. He was also a voracious reader who rarely went anywhere without a book in hand. He was a member of the Coastal Heritage Society, the Liberty Hunting Club, The Forest City Gun Club and was an active and faithful member of Grace Church of the Islands. Above all, he was a devoted husband and proud grandfather.
Surviving are his wife of 50 years, Lucia Walpole Welch of Savannah; son, Thomas Cooper Welch IV Mayra of Savannah; daughters, Lucia Welch Reed Jeff of Columbus, Georgia; Susan Welch Barry Joel of Savannah; five grandsons – LCPL Thomas Cooper Welch V, Robert Ian Welch Julia, John Luis Welch, Charles Joel Barry Jr., and Steven Isaac Barry; and one great-grandson – David Benjamin Welch.
Visitation: 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 23, 2012 at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel.
Funeral: 11:00 a.m., Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Grace Church of the Islands conducted by Reverend T. Brannon Bowman.
Burial: The Greenwich Section of Bonaventure Cemetery.
Remembrances: Grace Church of the Islands, P.O. Box 30775, Savannah, Georgia 31410.
Please sign our online guestbook at www.foxandweeks.com
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Islands Chapel
Dear Lucia, George and I were so sorry to hear of Timmy's untimely death. George went to Clemson with him and always thought so much of him. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. With love, Jane
- Jane Harrison Tupper, Summerville, SC
Lucia, I didn't hear about Tom until I cranked up the e-mail a few minutes ago. I feel like I've been hit by a truck. God how I loved the man. If half the people in the world were as good as TC we would not need laws and police. I'm so sorry. Go with God. Dale & Carol
- Dale & Carol Thompson, Statesboro, GA
Lucia and Family: Rah Rah and I attended James Island High with Timmy back in the good ole days 50's and 60's. I know we met you at some of the high school reunions and just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you and your family. Timmy was always a leader, and a good one. We shall always remember what a kind, gentle soul he was and what a perfect gentlemen he always was. I pray that God will be by your side in the days and months ahead and guide you through the very difficult days. God bless you and your children and grandchildren. I have no doubt that he will be missed by all of you. Fondly, Rah Rah and Ann Smith
- Rah Rah and Ann Kelly Smith, Charleston, SC
Mrs Welch, He was a great man. My thoughts and prayer's go out to you and your family. Scott
- Scott Sutlive, savannah, GA
So very sorry to hear of your loss,
- Dr and Mrs Eric Maddox, Columbus, GA
Thinking of the family
- Ann Ji Hund Salley, Orangeburg, SC
We were so sorry to hear of Mr. Tom's passing. He was a wonderful man that we highly respected. He will be missed greatly at Liberty Hunting Club. It was a pleasure to have known him. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. God will give you strength to go on in this difficult time. Steve & Melonye Collins & Justin
- Steve & Melonye Collins, Jacksonville, FL
Timmy and I were classmates at Clemson and became great friends. Later in life we hunted together, emailed often. What a great person. I will miss him greatly.
- Wade Fletcher, Hartsville, SC
Lucia and Jeff, our hearts and thoughts are with you. Tommy & Terry
- Tom Savage, Columbus, GA
Thinking of you
- Oggie and Cindy Hamlin and Family, Mt. Pleasant, SC
I was very sad to hear about Timmy's passing. We were classmates all through high school. May the memories of him live on in our hearts and may God be with all of his family through this difficult time. He is gone to be with our Holy Father but he will never be forgotten.
- Beryldean Parker Winter, Charleston, SC
Lucia, I am in shock at the death of Timmy and wish to convey to you our deepest sympathy at your loss. He was truly a fine person and will be greatly misses. We shared many good memories growing up on James Island together and fond memories of James Island High School. Please know that DuBose and I pray for God to give you His peace and strength!
- Nancy Wilkins Blakeney, Meggett, SC
I am so sorry to hear of Timmy's death. He was a classmate from elementary through high school and was a wonderful person, greatly respected by all of us who knew him. May God be with you all as you go through this difficult time. Rachel Crosby Riddle
- Rachel Crosby Riddle, Moraga, CA
Tom was one of the true gentlemen. I worked with him for 10 + years and it always was a real pleasure. The world has lost someone very special.
- Karl Van Wirt, Hague, NC
It was with great sadness that I heard the news of Timmy's passing. I was honored to have known him all thru high school. He was one of my best friends. He will live on in you, me and everyone else who crossed paths with him.
- Horace Curry, Charleston, SC
Susan, So very sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Uncle Jerry, Aunt Carol and Aunt Meme
- Carol Green, Callahan, FL
Dear Lucia, George and I were so sorry to hear of Timmy's untimely death. George went to Clemson with him and always thought so much of him. Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this sad time. With love, Jane
- Jane Harrison Tupper, Summerville, SC
Lucia, I didn't hear about Tom until I cranked up the e-mail a few minutes ago. I feel like I've been hit by a truck. God how I loved the man. If half the people in the world were as good as TC we would not need laws and police. I'm so sorry. Go with God. Dale & Carol
- Dale & Carol Thompson, Statesboro, GA
Lucia and Family: Rah Rah and I attended James Island High with Timmy back in the good ole days 50's and 60's. I know we met you at some of the high school reunions and just wanted to let you know that we are thinking about you and your family. Timmy was always a leader, and a good one. We shall always remember what a kind, gentle soul he was and what a perfect gentlemen he always was. I pray that God will be by your side in the days and months ahead and guide you through the very difficult days. God bless you and your children and grandchildren. I have no doubt that he will be missed by all of you. Fondly, Rah Rah and Ann Smith
- Rah Rah and Ann Kelly Smith, Charleston, SC
Mrs Welch, He was a great man. My thoughts and prayer's go out to you and your family. Scott
- Scott Sutlive, savannah, GA
So very sorry to hear of your loss,
- Dr and Mrs Eric Maddox, Columbus, GA
Thinking of the family
- Ann Ji Hund Salley, Orangeburg, SC
We were so sorry to hear of Mr. Tom's passing. He was a wonderful man that we highly respected. He will be missed greatly at Liberty Hunting Club. It was a pleasure to have known him. Your family is in our thoughts and prayers. God will give you strength to go on in this difficult time. Steve & Melonye Collins & Justin
- Steve & Melonye Collins, Jacksonville, FL
Timmy and I were classmates at Clemson and became great friends. Later in life we hunted together, emailed often. What a great person. I will miss him greatly.
- Wade Fletcher, Hartsville, SC
Lucia and Jeff, our hearts and thoughts are with you. Tommy & Terry
- Tom Savage, Columbus, GA
Thinking of you
- Oggie and Cindy Hamlin and Family, Mt. Pleasant, SC
I was very sad to hear about Timmy's passing. We were classmates all through high school. May the memories of him live on in our hearts and may God be with all of his family through this difficult time. He is gone to be with our Holy Father but he will never be forgotten.
- Beryldean Parker Winter, Charleston, SC
Lucia, I am in shock at the death of Timmy and wish to convey to you our deepest sympathy at your loss. He was truly a fine person and will be greatly misses. We shared many good memories growing up on James Island together and fond memories of James Island High School. Please know that DuBose and I pray for God to give you His peace and strength!
- Nancy Wilkins Blakeney, Meggett, SC
I am so sorry to hear of Timmy's death. He was a classmate from elementary through high school and was a wonderful person, greatly respected by all of us who knew him. May God be with you all as you go through this difficult time. Rachel Crosby Riddle
- Rachel Crosby Riddle, Moraga, CA
Tom was one of the true gentlemen. I worked with him for 10 + years and it always was a real pleasure. The world has lost someone very special.
- Karl Van Wirt, Hague, NC
It was with great sadness that I heard the news of Timmy's passing. I was honored to have known him all thru high school. He was one of my best friends. He will live on in you, me and everyone else who crossed paths with him.
- Horace Curry, Charleston, SC
Susan, So very sorry to hear of your Dad's passing. Please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Uncle Jerry, Aunt Carol and Aunt Meme
- Carol Green, Callahan, FL
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
