Donald C. Welch

Judge Donald C. "Don" Welch, lifelong resident of Ponca City, passed away on Monday, Nov. 16, 2015, at his home. He was 87.
He was born on May 2, 1928 in Ponca City, Okla., the son of Nelson Herbert "Ted" Welch and Eulalia Ida Pennock Welch.
He attended Ponca City Schools, graduating in 1947 as co-valedictorian. During his years at Po-Hi, he was elected president of the Student Council, "Best Best Boy Citizen," and lieutenant governor of Boys State. He earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1951, and graduated with a Juris Doctorate from OU law school, serving as editor of the Law Review for two years.
Prior to Oklahoma's statehood, Don’s grandfather established Welch Masonry Construction, where Don worked laying bricks alongside his father and brothers throughout his school years. He helped build the OU football stadium and several campus buildings, as well as numerous buildings in northern Oklahoma.
Don was a talented artist and at 15 was too young to serve in World War II, but he contributed to the war effort by drawing a picture of “Miss Ponca City”, the Flying Fortress B-17 bomber. The picture originally hung in the window of Smitty’s Men’s Wear store during a war bond drive to purchase the plane. It is now part of a war memorabilia collection displayed in the American Legion in Ponca City. He was honored to have several of his paintings donated to Ponca City High School, which were placed in the main hallway for over 40 years.
Don and his wife Jean married in 1953, raising five children in their 45 years of marriage, until Jean’s death in 1999. He later married Margaret Mason McGilliard in 2006, and they made their home in Bella Vista, Ark. They moved back to Ponca City in 2012.
Don served his country in the U.S. Air Force active duty and reserves in the Intelligence Division, eventually retiring with the rank of major. After two years of active-duty service at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, he returned to Ponca City to practice law. In addition to his private law practice of 60 years, he served as assistant district attorney in Kay County for 31 years, representing Kay County Government as head of the Civil Division of the district attorney's office. In August 1989, he was sworn in as special district judge when the Supreme Court created a new position to serve the Eighth Judicial District, comprising Kay and Noble counties. He was honored by Gov. Frank Keating for his volunteer service to the Oklahoma Court of Criminal Appeals in 1996. He retired from the bench on Feb. 28, 1997, ending a public service career of four decades.
In his leisure time, Don enjoyed working on his wheat, alfalfa and cattle farm near Kaw City. He was involved in many civic organizations, serving as a commissioner of the Marland Mansion and Estate, chairman of the Kay County Democratic Committee, Rotary Club member and director of the Ponca Playhouse, and was a longtime member of First Baptist Church. He was actively involved in The American Legion for decades, and served as commander at the local and state levels.
Don is survived by his wife Margaret; three children, Dr. Lee Ann Kelley of Phoenix, James Welch, and Barbara Welch Rollins of Ponca City; three grandchildren, Casey, Caitlin and Conley Kelley of Phoenix; three siblings, Lloyd Welch, Leroy Welch and Nila Larkins; stepsister Marilyn Cook; stepchildren Lance McGilliard and Laurann Ranker; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family. He was preceded in death by his wife Jean, his parents, sons David Welch and John Welch, brothers Allen Welch and Joseph N. Welch, and an infant sister, Patricia Welch.
Don felt strongly that no one should ever go hungry. Donations in his name may be made to the office of the First Christian Church, 210 N. 5th Street, Ponca City, OK 74601, and earmarked for the Friendship Feast Program.
Condolences may be shared on the Donald C. Welch Facebook profile.