SPRINGFIELD, MO - L.T. "Bud" Welch passed from this earth on January 19, 2026, surrounded by family at COX Medical Center South in Springfield, MO at the age of 93.

Bud Welch was born to John J and Louise J Welch on August 14, 1932 in Redings Mill, Missouri. He spent his youth attending Redings Mill School while spending his free time playing on Shoal Creek and his summers at the Redings Mill Pool. After completing the 8th grade at Redings Mill School, Bud attended Joplin High School as well as Seneca High School from which he graduated in 1950.

Bud loved playing baseball in his youth and was a pitcher for various minor league teams in the KOM league with his most memorable stint being with the Blackwell, OK Broncos. He was then drafted by the St. Louis Browns baseball organization but was soon injured ending his baseball career. He loved to hunt quail and was an avid bass fisherman and fished many tournaments around the U.S. during the late 70's and early 80's with the Poor Boys Bass Club. He continued Bass fishing throughout the remainder of his life and pushing his boats to their limits.

Bud married Barbara Ann Welch August 23, 1953 and raised three children in Carthage, MO where he was an insurance adjuster before becoming engineer and eventually VP of manufacturing for Big Smith Manufacturing Co. in 1965. Upon leaving Big Smith in 1983, he started his own clothing manufacturing business in St. Louis, MO, subsequently moving his business to Dermott, AR with another factory in Tylertown, MS.

Bud was very active in civic affairs having served as an officer in the Chamber of Commerce, President of Rotary International and many other organizations. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, member of the Scottish Site Temple, Valley of AR and Sahara Shrine Temple, Pine Bluff, AR.

Bud married Karen Sue Welch on December 31, 1983. He retired from his business in the early 90's and eventually moved to Emerald Beach on Table Rock Lake where he and Karen spent most of their 42 years of marriage before her passing on September 21, 2025.

"Dad" was a devoted husband and loving father to all of his kids and grandchildren. He certainly never met a stranger and could tell a story that would not only have you laughing until you cried but would actually put you at the scene of the incident. He was truly one of a kind.

Bud was preceded in death by his parents John Jacob and Louise Jarrell Welch, His wife Karen Sue Welch, brother: John J. Welch and sister: Mary Lee DeRenzo.

He is survived by the mother of his children Barbara Welch of Carthage, MO, Lori Miller of Carthage, MO, Jeffery Welch (Beth) of Kingwood, TX, Gregory Welch (Beth) Kingwood, TX, Karen's children, Curtis Chase of Springfield, MO, Darlene Smith (Brian) Monticello, AR, and Rick Chase (Tammi) of Mobile, AL. He was blessed with (21) Grandchildren and (18) Great Grandchildren as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was of the Roman Catholic Faith. For those who wish to attend, there will be a small service at Shell Knob Funeral Home on Thursday, January 22, 2026 at 2:00 pm. He requested the interment of his ashes to be buried next to his wife.