John Alexander "Buddy" Welch

John Alexander “Buddy” Welch, age 95, of Ocean Springs, died Thursday, March 22, 2018 in Biloxi. John was born June 9, 1922. He was a native of Biloxi, and had been a resident of Gulf Hills, Ocean Springs for more than 65 years. He was a graduate of Biloxi High School, class of 1939, and attended Perkinston Jr. College. John was employed by the U.S. Post Office in Biloxi, retiring as Manager, Customer Services in 1984. After retirement, he did volunteer work for the Local History Department at the Biloxi Public Library. He was an inveterate learner, having studied philosophy in Florence, Italy, and continuing to read and consider works of philosophy and theology throughout his life. He loved music, especially classical, and regularly attended Gulf Coast Symphony performances. He was a lifetime student of history, including world and ancient, and was especially knowledgeable about the history of the Mississippi Gulf Coast and its peoples. He lived for travel adventures, making the most of his international experiences, with multiple trips to Europe, as well as Asia and South and Central America, always hiking along the way. He had a particular passion for the outdoors and the glories of nature, whether collecting and categorizing flora, birding, or canoeing in Fort Bayou from the dock of his dear friends Louise and Pete Aufdemorte. He had a zest for astronomy, and could dazzle with his knowledge of the constellations. John was, at his core, an environmentalist, and his passion for protecting parks, waterways and wildlife manifested itself in many ways, including being active in the Sierra Club, Mississippi Chapter, Gulf Coast Group, which presented him an award for a lifetime of service in 2003. John was one of the earliest members of the Ocean Springs Yacht Club, and remained an avid sailor into his 80’s, continuing to sail his Sunfish to Deer Island, and sailing his classic sloop from the Ocean Spring Harbor. In later years, his principle activity was walking, and he became a trailmaster for American Volksport Association. He was also active in Genealogical societies. He had been an Eagle Scout and was a U.S. Army Veteran, having served during World War II (1942-46) in North Africa and Italy. John was a truly independent thinker, and a secular humanist. The body will be cremated and given to the Gulf by the family. He was preceded in death by his parents, John T. and Marguerite M. Welch, and a sister, Helen G. Byrd. Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Patty Yousko Welch; sister, Peggy Woolridge of Baton Rouge, LA; and three sons, Kenneth (Lolita) of Mobile, AL, Robert (Patti) of Jacksonville, FL, and Jonathan of Washington, DC; five grandchildren, Christopher Welch, Lynsey Hatch (Neal), Elizabeth Farrell (Patrick), Justin Welch and Marie Welch; and two great-grandchildren, Alexandra Welch and Lucas Welch. Perhaps his greatest legacy is that he imparted his unquenchable curiosity and passion for adventure and the great outdoors to his children and grandchildren. A Celebration of John’s life will take place on Tuesday, March 27 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. at the Ocean Springs Yacht Club. The family invites all friends to join them. The family offers its deepest thanks to all the staff at Bay Cove, for making John feel comfortable and loved, and providing a wonderful place for him to reside in his final year. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorials to the Sierra Club.