Robert Riley Welch, 88, of Clarksville, TN, passed away on Wednesday, August 19, 2015, at his residence.
Bob was born on July 30, 1927 in Montgomery County, TN to the late Thomas Hyman Welch and Elizabeth Tucker Welch. He was also preceded in death by his sister, Lela Margaret Adkins (Glenn) and brother, Thomas Trigg Welch (Louise).
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, August 22, 2015, at 2:00 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Clarksville with Dr. Larry Riley, Dr. John David Laida, and Dr. Felts Dent officiating. Burial will be in Greenwood Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, August 21, 2015, from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at Neal-Tarpley-Parchman Funeral Home and Saturday, August 22, 2015, from 12:00 p.m. until the hour of service at the church.
Bob is survived by his wife, Mary Emma McCraw Welch of Clarksville, TN; two daughters, Suzanne Welch Langford (Bob) of Clarksville, TN and Gaye Welch Pitts (Chris) of Erin, TN; and five grandchildren, Rebecca Lane Langford, Robert Welch Langford of Clarksville, TN, Riley Elizabeth Pitts, Mary McCraw Pitts, and Carson Trigg Pitts of Erin, TN.
Bob was a Clarksville High School and Austin Peay State University graduate. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.
Bob retired on January 1, 1992, as Chairman of the Clarksville C&S Sovran Bank (now Bank of America) after 45 years, dating back to First Trust & Savings Bank and all the banks in between.
Bob was very active in business and civic affairs in Clarksville during his working years to include, The Chamber of Commerce, Industrial Development Board, United Givers Fund (now United Way), Kiwanis Club, River District Commission, and the Clarksville Jaycees.
Bob was a member and Deacon Emeritus of First Baptist Church of Clarksville. He also served as Finance Committee Chairman, served on the Executive Committee of the Austin Peay State University Endowment, and was the former Trustee for 25 years at Belmont University in Nashville, TN.
Pallbearers will be Bob Langford, Robert Langford, Billy McCraw, Logan McCraw, Carson Pitts, and Chris Pitts. Honorary pallbearers will be James D. Amos, Neal Bateman, Don Dority, Bill Fitzgerald, Retired General Wendell Gilbert, Roy Gregory, Gary Hodges, James G. Holleman, Ben S. Kimbrough, Sr., Albert Marks, Frank N. McGregor, Bob Middleton, James E. Orgain, Carney Wright, and members of Ralph Conklin’s Baraca Sunday School Class of First Baptist Church.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the First Baptist Church of Clarksville Endowment Fund, 435 Madison Street, Clarksville, TN 37040.