Jack Howard Welsh

Jack Howard Welsh of Gobles, MI passed away peacefully on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, at the age of 89 at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, MI. He was born in Niles, MI on December 25, 1932, the son of Ernest and Mildred (Smith) Welsh. 

Jack graduate from Lawton High School where he played basketball and baseball. He served 4 years in the U.S. Navy during the Korean Conflict as a QM3 semaphore flag signalman and radio operator onboard the USS Sperry and the USS Chanticleer. He attended Kalamazoo Valley Community College where he received his Associates of Applied Science Degree. He served as a Captain on the police force at Western Michigan University and retired after 28 ½ years of service. He was affectionately known as “Captain Jack” to everyone who knew him at Western.

Jack married Sharon Mikle Welsh on July 3 rd , 1958, and they had 3 children: Michael, Patrick, and Lori. They made their home in Portage, MI where their children attended school and then moved to Gobles, MI in retirement. Jack and Sharon were avid golfers and were in several leagues. They also were in a bowling league together. Jack loved meeting his friends at Sweetwater’s Donuts for coffee and community and was a permanent weekly fixture.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents Ernest and Mildred Welsh, his brothers Gene and Terry Welsh, the love of his life Sharon Mikle Welsh, his son Patrick Welsh, his Uncle Willis “Bill” Welsh and Bill’s wife Beverly.

Jack is survived by his son Michael Welsh, his daughter Lori Welsh Krause, his grandchildren Ashley, Atalanta, Caleb, and Chloe Welsh and Tristan Krause, his daughter-in-law Kim Richardson, and several cousins and relatives.

A Military Service will be held at Fort Custer National Cemetery on Friday July 1, 2022, at 2:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Centrica Care Navigators Rose Arbor.