Franklin Hayes Welder

Franklin Hayes Welder, Sr. (87) was called home to be with the Lord on Saturday, January 25th, 2020.  A longtime resident of Kingsport, TN and native of Monroe County, West Virginia, Frank was an avid outdoorsman, sports enthusiast and dedicated family man.  He was a proud graduate of Potomac State and West Virginia University, where he obtained his chemical engineering degree.  He traveled the world as a project engineer for Olin Chemicals and retired from Ecusta Paper in Brevard, NC.

Frank was born on December 30, 1932, the fourth of nine children of the late Rodney William Welder and Edith Virginia Bell Cody Welder.  A large, loving family dedicated to each other, education and their community and country.  Frank believed in the importance of an education and that family should always support and strengthen each other.

Frank married Delma Jean Parker Welder, with whom he had been married for 59 years at the time of his passing.  The couple were inseparable for most of their lives and best friends.  They were long time members of First Broad Street United Methodist Church. They raised a daughter, Lynette Thomas (Jeff) and two sons, Bill Welder and Franklin H. Welder, Jr. (Cathy). Frank was most proud of his grandchildren, Tanner Thomas, Kaysey Thomas, Luke Welder and Ethan Welder.  He was honorary uncle, great-uncle and grandfather to many, many relatives of the Welder and Parker clans.  No greater sports supporter has ever lived, and he was delighted to watch and hear the efforts of athletes and coaches alike.

Per his wishes, Frank will be traveling to his homeplace for burial.  Services will be held at the Greenville United Methodist Church in Greenville, WV, at 12:30 pm, Saturday, February 1st.  Lifelong supporters of the United Methodist Church, the family ask in lieu of flowers, that donations, if desired, be made to the Greenville United Methodist Church, Greenville, WV – Franklin Welder Memorial Fund c/o Randall Young, 323 Deep Valley Road, Lindside, WV 24951.