In loving memory, James Welch

James Edward Welch was born on October 4, 1944 in Lander, Wyoming to Edith M. McDougall and Joseph Edward Welch. He passed away in Billings, MT on July 12, 2024 following a serious stroke. Jim was raised on the Sweetwater River and spoke of it fondly. After Graduation from Fremont County Vocational High School Jim enlisted in the U.S. Navy where he spent 4 years on the USS Montrail. We loved the stories of his travels around the world. In his first marriage Jim married Janna Lee Russell and was blessed with his daughters Jamie Lyn and Jessica Anne.
Jim was a cowboy and loved the cowboy life, roping, helping with brandings, hunting, fishing, pack trips and his family were the fun things he enjoyed. With his great horse “Mac” and his good friends he covered a good many miles and traveled to a lot of ropings and rodeos.
Jim met Patricia Jones in 1977 and their love of family, good horses and the western way of life was an immediate attraction for both. They joined families bringing sisters Stormie and Sunnie and brother Robin. “We weren’t cut from the same cloth, but we were sewn together perfectly” as the kids would say.
Most people knew “Big Jim” from his 35 years at the Lander Water Department. He could be seen putting in many hours repairing water lines and keeping water flowing in Lander.
Jim is survived by children; Jamie Lyn Deneven, Casper; Jessie Zoller (Tony Jurado), Pinedale; Stormie Williams (Scott), Rawlins; Sunnie Iiams (Tom), Lander; Robin Jones (Mabel), Cheyenne; 11 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren; Nieces Ardie Jo Wyant (Doug) and Jodi Dawn Rivera (Ted); McDougall and Welch Family Cousins.
Jim was recently preceded in death by his wife Patricia Welch( obituary 4-25-24 County 10), parents, brother Joseph Lee Welch, cousin Vernon Welch; Grandparents J.T and Margaret McDougall; Lee and Edith Welch; numerous aunts and uncles: Nan and Harry Garner, Jessie and Donald MacDonald, Meg and Pete Spriggs, PeeWee and Gladys McDougall, Glen and Levis Welch.
Please join our family on July 27th from 1-4pm at the VFW in Lander as we celebrate the lives of Jim and Patti Welch. Come and have lunch, share stories and memories of Big Jim and Patti Mae.