Michael “Mike” Welch passed away at his home in Hermosa Beach, CA on June 7th, 2021 at the age of 75, surrounded by his family as he peacefully passed. Mike is survived by his wife, Candace Ford; his children Chris (Janel), Matthew, and Andrew Welch; four grandchildren, his uncle, three step-siblings, and other family members.

Mike was born in Newport, RI on November 11th, 1945 to James and Diana (née Mello) Welch, eventually moving to Jacksonville Beach, FL. He enlisted in the United States Air Force and rose to the highest enlisted rank of Chief Master Sergeant. His career as a Loadmaster included an assignment at Nakhon Phanom in Thailand, during the Vietnam War where he earned the Distinguished Flying Cross.

After his retirement from the USAF in 1988, he continued to stay involved in several military and civilian organizations holding several leadership positions. He worked for McDonnell Douglas/Boeing and retired December 31, 2014, after 27 years. Mike was inducted into the Airlift/Tanker Association Hall of Fame as one of the six “Pathfinder Loadmasters” on October 31, 2015 due to his groundbreaking work in developing the loadmaster station for the C-17A.

Mike loved baseball and softball and played his whole life winning a collection of awards and tournaments. As an avid senior softball player he amassed 14 Championship rings and 12 All-Tournament rings.

The memorial service will be held at St. Cross Episcopal Church in Hermosa Beach, CA, on Saturday, September 18th at 10am, and will also be streamed online at stcross.org/memorial.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to either of these charities picked by Mike before his death: 

- Professional Loadmaster Association, PO Box 4511, Tacoma, WA, 98438, comments section: CMSgt Michael M. Welch Scholarship 

- 57th Alumni Association, attn Cecil Fultz, 2501 Garden Grove Ln, Wichita Falls, TX, 76308, comments section: CMSgt Michael M. Welch Scholarship

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou are with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. – Psalm 23:4

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