Mr. Joseph Welch

Joseph “Joe Cool” Welch answered the Master's call to eternal Heaven on Tuesday, October 14, 2025.  Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Allen Temple AME Church, 2101 Lowe Street, Tampa, FL 33605, Rev Dr. Glenn Dames Jr., Pastor, with Dr. Antonio R. Hawkins, Senior Pastor of Exciting Faith Alive Church, Tampa, FL, Eulogist and Officiant.  The interment will take place at a later date at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 SW 102nd Avenue, Bushnell, FL 33513.

Joseph Welch was born on November 30, 1961, in Tampa, Florida, to Gene Welch Sr. and Evelyn Hammond.  In his younger years, he attended schools in Hillsborough County, where he excelled in many sports, particularly basketball, which became his most passionate pursuit.  After graduating from Leto High School in 1979, Joe went on to serve proudly in the U.S. Army from July 1979 to July 1982.

Over the years, he built a remarkable career marked by dedication, excellence, and an incomparable work ethic. He built his greatest professional legacy as a Machine Operator at Cargill Salt in Tampa, Florida, where he dedicated nearly two decades of service before retiring in 2023.

He was preceded in death by: his Grandfathers, Douglas Hammond Sr. and Samuel Welch Sr.; Grandmothers, Eliza Welch and Mrs. Rosa Hammond Walters; Mother, Evelyn Hammond; Children’s Mother, Angela McDonald; Spouse, Jaqueline Welch; Sons, Jonathan of Ocala, FL and Aubrey Connor; Uncles, Tyrone Lloyd Hammond Sr., Jimmy, Samuel Jr. and Nathaniel Welch; Aunts, Patricia Sandra “Sandy” Hammond, Deloris Hammond Wright, Melvina and Althea Walters; Cousins, Sandra Welch and Carol Melvin.

He leaves to cherish his memory: his Father, Gene Welch (Carolyn); loving and devoted Companion, Angel Parks; Sons, Chauncey Welch, Joseph Welch, Aaron Welch, and Jaylin Welch; Daughter, Arius Louis (Junior); Grandchildren, Aubreyana Connor, Chauncey Welch Jr., NaChauncia Welch, Juellez Welch, Joaquin Welch, Sherian Welch, Joseph Welch lll, Ja’Liyah Welch, Junio Louis, and Ava Louis; Sisters, Ebony Williams (Jonnie) and Alisha Welch; Brother, Gene Welch Jr. (Linda); Nieces, Janiya Williams, Ava Williams, and Eugenia Welch; Nephews, Jonnie Williams III, Eugene (Duke) Welch, Eugene Joseph (EJ) Welch, Isiah Osborne, Keiron Osborne, and Adonis Welch; Aunts, Jean Welch, Louise Welch, Birdie Welch, Marcia Darsaw, and Vivian Suttle (James Jr.); Uncle, Eddie Welch Sr. and Douglas Hammond Jr., and a host of cousins and extended family members and friends.

Special acknowledgment to the Gilchrist, Rose, Jackson, Billups, Fosters, Washington, Albury, Johnson, Beckham, and Contreras families, Aaron Johnson, Darrel Palmer, and Marvin Knight.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 24, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Ray Williams Funeral Home, 301 N. Howard Avenue, Tampa, FL 33606.

Arrangements entrusted to Ray Williams Funeral Home, Rhodes & Northern, Owners

www.raywilliamsfuneralhome.com

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