Raymond K. Welch Sr., 83, of Orangefield, Texas, died Monday, March 9, 2009.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday, March 13, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Helen Catholic Church in Orangefield. Officiating will be Reverend George Kidangen. Burial will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Gardens in Bridge City.

Visitation will be from 5:00-8:00 p.m., Thursday, at Claybar Funeral Home in Orange.

Raymond was born in Beaumont, Texas on August 29, 1925, the son of Asa and Kathleen Weiss Welch. He retired from Gulf States Utilities after 40 years of service. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, Gulf States Side Liners and the Texas State Land Surveyors Association. Raymond loved to fish, surveying and spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Mary of 56 years and brother, Asa Welch, Jr.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, Debbie and Barney Burch of Orangefield; son and daughter-in-law, Raymond and Deanna Welch, Jr. of Orangefield; grandchildren, Courtney Burch-Arkeen, Barney Burch, Jr., Kaden Head and Victoria Welch; and special friend and companion for the last five years, Nell Miers.