On Wednesday, August 28, 2024, at 10:50pm EDT, John Samuel Welch III, beloved husband, father, grandfather, and brother transitioned back home to the Arms of God.

John was born on Wednesday, May 17, 1933 in a small town called Huntington on Long Island, NY.  He spent his early years in a large family consisting of a brother and 2 sisters, bouncing back and forth between NY and a 300-acre rural farm, just outside the town of Collins, MS.  Eventually, they moved permanently to Collins as John turned 11 years old, starting a completely new life in a polar opposite environment.  John always considered Collins to be his hometown and held a deep love for it.

After joining the United States Air Force on July 10, 1950, he took part in an accelerated basic training to prepare him for combat in the Korean War.  Throughout the war, he risked his life participating in dangerous reconnaissance missions that took him deep in the heart of enemy territory. He was honorably discharged twice, once in 1954, and again in 1959 after a second round of service.

He was married twice, first to Elizabeth in 1955, and again in 1976 to Wanda, who survives as his widow of 47 years.  He leaves behind 6 children:  Suzanne, Patricia, Sandra, Linda, Michele, and his only son, Jeffrey.  He also leaves behind many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

John was a kind, well respected, honorable man, and a loving presence for all who had the privilege of knowing him.  He will be greatly missed.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, September 14, 2024 at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care 1001 South Hickory Street, Melbourne, Florida; viewing from 11:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., followed by a service and Air Force Honors at 12:30 P.M.