Larry Jim Welch, 80

Larry Jim Welch, 80, passed away on Sunday, May 29, 2016, at his home in Clark Fork, Idaho.

Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 23, 2106, at the Cabinet Mountain Calvary Chapel in Clark Fork. Interment will take place in the Clark Fork Cemetery with military honors.

Larry was born on Dec. 12, 1935, in Kearney, Neb., to Gaylord and Lona Welch. He grew up and attended schools in Wyoming and Idaho, graduating from Clark Fork High School in 1953.

Larry joined the Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps at the University of Idaho, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in biology. He then earned his master’s degree in bacteriology. In the Navy, he received pilot training and piloted helicopters. He was honorably discharged as a Navy lieutenant commander.

On his way to becoming a research scientist, Larry became a pilot for Pan American Airlines.

On Nov. 6, 1988, he married Connie Cody in Everett, Wash. They had the opportunity to live in many places including Germany when the Berlin Wall came down. He retired from Delta Airlines in 1997, while living in Colbert, Wash. In 2006, he moved back to Clark Fork.

Larry is a member of Living Water Lutheran Church, Trout Unlimited, and Airline Pilots of America. He enjoyed fly fishing, hiking, camping, RVing, traveling, snowmobiles and ATVs.

He is survived his wife, Connie Welch of Clark Fork; a son, Col. John (Raelene) Welch of Fort Belvoir, Va.; a daughter, Tracey (Edward) Welch Severtsen of Seattle; his stepchildren, Tamara Meier (Charles Gallant of Ocala, Fla., James Collier of Seattle, and Kelly Collier-Chivens of Los Angeles; three grandchildren, Taylor, Justin, and Axel; and a brother, Donald (Marlys) Welch of Kansas City.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife Carol Lund Welch, and a son, Stewart Marshall Welch.

Memorial donations may be made to Bonner Community Hospice, 620 N. Third Ave., Sandpoint, ID 83864.

Lakeview Funeral Home in Sandpoint is handling the arrangements. Please visit Larry’s online memorial at www.lakeviewfuneral.com and sign his guest book.