Bobby Welch, 74, of Portsmouth, died Aug. 16, 2007, at his residence.

A native of Kentucky, he was the son of the late Charles Arthur Welch and Olive Bickford Welch.

Bobby was a pipefitter, and also previously had been employed at Goodyear Atomic Energy Plant. He was very active in various youth sports leagues in the Portsmouth area. He had been an assistant coach at East High School, an assistant at Portsmouth High School and also James Dickey Post 23 under John Tipton.

Bobby was an honorary member of James Dickey Post 23 American Legion.

He is survived by three sons, Jeff Welch, of Liberty Township, Ohio, Chris Welch, of Plano, Texas, and Josh Welch, of Saginaw Hills, Ohio; two daughters, Belinda Luther, of Portsmouth, and Jamie Estes, of Westerville, Ohio; six granddaughters, Kacy, Andrea, McKenzie, McKenna, Delaney and Marley; and two sisters, Betty McCleese, of Minford, and Patty Gray, of West Jefferson, Ohio.

A memorial service will take place 11 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 26, 2007, at F.C. Daehler Mortuary Co. in Portsmouth. The family will receive friends from 10 to 11 a.m. Sunday at Daehler's. At his own request, his body was cremated.

8/18/07