Dr. Joe Ben Welch, retired Chancellor of River Parishes Community College in Gonzales, died on Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at his home. He was 83 years old and was a longtime resident of Zachary. Visitation will be held at Charlet Funeral Home, Inc. in Zachary, Friday, September 15, 2023 from 9am until service at 12pm, conducted by Dr. Reggie Bridges, Rev. Rusty Bowser, and Dr. Wayne Barnes. Burial will follow at Azalea Rest Cemetery in Zachary.
Dr. Joe Ben Welch was a graduate of Louisiana Tech, Lamar University, and McNeese State. He began his career as a high school math teacher, football coach and bus driver. After years of investing in his education, he swiftly rose from college math professor, to Dean, to Provost, and eventually President of Lamar University at Orange. After 25 years of faithful service, he then led Middle Georgia as their President, starting many groundbreaking initiatives. Dr. Welch ended his career close to home in Zachary, LA at River Parishes Community College where he, as the first employee of the college, built River Parishes Community College to what it is today – from the ground up. Dr. Welch always believed in the ability of education to provide upward mobility to those who were hardworking and perseverant, as he himself had learned first-hand.
Dr. Welch also loved attending church and Sunday School, serving as a deacon and taking mission trips to spread the gospel and do good works in the name of Jesus. He always had an affinity for gardening and also learned to love golf in his later years. He never failed to find time for a little football – especially LSU.
Eva Welch has been an amazing caregiver throughout his illness. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Sharon Collins, Lyvinia Bates, and May Ella Nelson for the extra special care during his illness.
He is survived by his wife, Eva Welch, daughters Wendi Sands (Dusty), Robin Peveto (Rex), Sandi Dobbs (Jim), Roxanna Bolton (Mark), Vickie Farrar Hagg (Wayne), Connie Farrar Thompson (John), Vicki Farrar Jones, and son, Randy Farrar; 16 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by the mother of his children, Dorothy “Dottie” Welch, parents, siblings, son in law, grandson, and twin great grandsons. Pallbearers will be Taylor Peveto, Justice Peveto, Eli Peveto, Skylar Sands, Dylan Dobbs, and Drew Dobbs.
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