1937
Ronald
2016
Ronald L. Welch
September 19, 1937 — September 2, 2016
Ronald L. Welch, 78, passed away after a lengthy illness on Friday, September 2, 2016 in Albuquerque, NM. He was born September 19, 1937 in Gallup, NM and grew up in Mentmore, NM.
He was a 1955 graduate of Gallup High School. Upon graduation, he attended the University of New Mexico and studied mechanical engineering. Each summer, he returned home to Gallup to work on the Santa Fe Railroad.
He was drafted into the US Army in 1960 and was stationed at Fort Skelly in Regensburg, Germany for two years. Upon release from the army, he returned to Gallup, NM, where he continued to work until his retirement from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. He retired in 2007 after 51 years of service as a conductor. In 1997, he went back to school part time, earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in general studies from the UNM-Gallup Branch.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Shelley Welch; his children, James Welch of Albuquerque and Jennifer Bonaguidi of Gallup, and two grandsons, Ryan James Welch and Tyler Bonaguidi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jennie and James Welch.
Ronald was a train enthusiast and a member of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club. He was a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge and served as Vice Local Chairman for the United Transportation Union Local Chapter. His hobbies included trains, photography, traveling, and watching sports.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 415 E. Green Avenue, Gallup, NM 87301. Father Matthew Keller will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. Honorary pallbearers are Ryan James Welch, Tyler Bonaguidi, Joe Hereford, Dave Weigand, Ernie Robart, John Simunovich, Loren Fuhs, Orvis Scott, Pat Lynch, Ian Schmaltz, Alan Kauzlaric, and the countless railroaders he worked with over the years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Ronald's name to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 1775, Gallup, NM 87305.
FRENCH - Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300
He was a 1955 graduate of Gallup High School. Upon graduation, he attended the University of New Mexico and studied mechanical engineering. Each summer, he returned home to Gallup to work on the Santa Fe Railroad.
He was drafted into the US Army in 1960 and was stationed at Fort Skelly in Regensburg, Germany for two years. Upon release from the army, he returned to Gallup, NM, where he continued to work until his retirement from the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad. He retired in 2007 after 51 years of service as a conductor. In 1997, he went back to school part time, earning an Associate of Applied Science degree in general studies from the UNM-Gallup Branch.
He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Shelley Welch; his children, James Welch of Albuquerque and Jennifer Bonaguidi of Gallup, and two grandsons, Ryan James Welch and Tyler Bonaguidi. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jennie and James Welch.
Ronald was a train enthusiast and a member of the Rocky Mountain Railroad Club. He was a lifelong member of the Elks Lodge and served as Vice Local Chairman for the United Transportation Union Local Chapter. His hobbies included trains, photography, traveling, and watching sports.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Cathedral, 415 E. Green Avenue, Gallup, NM 87301. Father Matthew Keller will officiate. Burial will take place at a later date at the Santa Fe National Cemetery in Santa Fe, NM. Honorary pallbearers are Ryan James Welch, Tyler Bonaguidi, Joe Hereford, Dave Weigand, Ernie Robart, John Simunovich, Loren Fuhs, Orvis Scott, Pat Lynch, Ian Schmaltz, Alan Kauzlaric, and the countless railroaders he worked with over the years. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made in Ronald's name to the Wounded Warrior Project, PO Box 1775, Gallup, NM 87305.
FRENCH - Westside
9300 Golf Course Rd NW
505-897-0300
Service Details
Saturday, September 10th, 2016, 11:00am, Sacred Heart Cathedral
To send flowers to the family in memory of Ronald L. Welch, please visit our flower store.