James A. Welch

James A. Welch, 87, passed away peacefully in his sleep on May 17, 2017, in Missoula. Jim was born August 17, 1929 in Libby, the second of three sons born to Vernice “Duke” Welch and Ellen Dailey Welch.

Jim loved working. Jim’s three-part philosophy of life was to be healthy enough to work, to have work available to do and to always try to have a happy attitude. Although Jim did not finish high school, he believed in lifelong learning. He encouraged others to stay in school. This quote is one he lived by: “If I go through a day without learning, I count that day as lost.”

He was an independent contractor. He drove heavy equipment, logged, built houses, did backhoe work for people, graded roads for the Forest Service and carried the bulk mail from Kalispell to Libby to Troy and back again for 16 years. He had a quick wit, funny stories, and liked people. He was a true “Troy boy.” No matter where he traveled, when he got back, Jim would say, “They were nice places to see, but, gee, I’m happy to be home.”

He will be missed by all. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, older brother Nevin Welch and first wife Patty Welch Haaby, his second wife Dorothy Miller Welch and his third wife Bette Smith Welch.

He is survived by his younger brother Dennis Welch (Betty), daughters Shirley Parrish (Nolan) and Linda Wood (Mike), seven grandchildren, many great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.

Services will be 2 p.m. Sunday, May 28, 2017 at the Troy Church of God with Pastor Gene Bushnell officiating. Interment will be at the Troy Cemetery. Arrangements are by Schnackenberg & Nelson Funeral Home in Libby.

Online condolences and memories may be shared at www.schnackenbergfh.com.