Harold Welch

Harold Everett "Barney" Welch was born July 30, 1916 in Tulsa to Frank and Malissa (Strickland) Welch. He passed from this life Monday, December 17, 2012 in Tulsa at the age of 96. Barney was raised and educated in Tulsa where he graduated from Central High School. His first work experience was in the accounting office of OG&E. Barney joined the US Army in 1944 and received 3 Bronze Service Stars and the Victory medal with tours in Italy and North Africa during World War II. Soon after his return to Tulsa, he and Kathyrn Davis were married in July of 1946.

Barney began a life-long career in the insurance industry when he took a position as District Manager for Corporate Employee Benefits with John Hancock Life Insurance Co. He then joined Panamerican Life Insurance Co. in 1960 as Regional Manager of Corporate Employee Benefits. In 1962 he started Barney Welch and Associates, specializing in estate planning, corporate key man insurance, employee benefits and retirement plans. He received his Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation in 1963 and went on to become a member of the Million Dollar Round Table. Barney retired in 1998 at the age of 82.

He originally joined First Presbyterian Church in 1964 and then moved to Asbury United Methodist Church in 2000. He was a 32 degree Mason, member of the Tulsa Scottish Rite and a Jester. He was a long-time member and past president of The Tulsa Men's Club and an active member of Tulsa Little Theater. Among his many passions, after his love for his wife, Kay were dancing, music and playing golf at Garden of the Gods Golf Club in Colorado Springs, The Oaks Country Club in Tulsa and many golf clubs throughout the world.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Pauline Turner. Barney is survived by his wife of 66 years, Kathryn L. "Kay" Welch; son and daughter-in-law, Vickie and Harold E. "Barney" Welch, Jr. and his granddaughters, Nicole and Amber Welch. "Dad, we all love you."

A service will be held 2:00 pm Thursday in the Mason Chapel at Asbury United Methodist Church. Friends may contribute in Barney's memory to the Tulsa Boys' Home, PO Box 1101, Tulsa, OK 74101-1101.