James Willis Welty

James Willis Welty, better as known “Jim”, passed away unexpectedly on July 15, 2024. Jim was born on August 29, 1937, in Knox City, TX, to Jesse Otto Welty and Mary Lou Northam, during the Great Depression. Soon after his birth, the Welty family moved to Quanah, TX for work. Jim was the second oldest of four children, with 2 brothers and a sister. While his father was serving in the US Army during WWII, his mother, Mary Lou Northam, became ill with Tuberculosis, and was placed in the Carlsbad, TX Sanatorium. Without a father figure he tried to provide for his brother and sister until they became “Wards of the State”. His younger sister was taken-in by an aunt and uncle, while Jim and his younger brother Gerald were placed into the Oklahoma Methodist Orphanage in Tahlequah, OK. Ultimately, his mother Mary Lou Northam passed away in 1946 while his father remained in military service. Jim remained in the Oklahoma Methodist Orphanage system until he was 15.

Jim worked various odd jobs until he could enlist in the U.S. Army. He completed Infantry School at Ft. Benning, GA, and was assigned to the 326th Medical Battalion in support of the 101st Airborne Division stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. While there he completed Paratrooper Jumpmaster school at Ft. Bragg, NC. His unit was assigned to the central European command and stationed in Germany, where trained Airborne Paratroopers and served as an MP. His unit was then assigned back to Fort Campbell as part of the 1st Airborne Battle Group, 506th Infantry, and remained assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, Infantry Regiment. He continued to teach Airborne Paratroopers and served as an MP through the end of his military service in 1960.

After leaving military service Jim worked in the oilfield as craft laborer. In 1960, he met Jean S. Shearer in Oklahoma City, OK and they married in Denver, CO later that year on Oct 13. They lived in Oklahoma City where he attended courses an Univ. of Oklahoma, earning his Real Estate license, and becoming a successful real estate agent. In 1967, Jim joined Koch Oil co. as a Pipeline Surveyor, becoming a Project Engineer, Crude Oil Broker, and the Regional Manager. Jim led many projects for Koch Oil throughout Oklahoma, Louisiana, Texas, North Dakota, New Mexico, and Colorado. Following many transfers with Koch Oil, the family moved to Midland, TX in 1977, with Jim becoming the West Texas New Mexico Regional Manager, until he retired in 1994. Jim lived in Midland with his family from 1977 through 2011. During this time his wife Jean, passed away in 2010 following a long illness.

In 2011, Jim married Becky L. Brunson of Midland, TX, and moved to West Columbia, TX to be closer to family in the Houston and East Texas area. Jim and Becky were happily married for 13 years, as they enjoyed church, sharing the joys of the Jesu the Lord, fishing, traveling, music, theater, reading, and spending time with family. Jim is survived by his wife Becky L. Welty of West Columbia, her daughter Kimberly and Jonathan Ellgass of Lindale, TX, and 2 grandchildren, and a great grandchild, along with her son Brian Brunson of East Texas. Jim is further survived by his sons and daughters and their families, James and Deena Welty of Kemah, TX their 2 children and grandchildren. Wayne and Donna Welty of Sugar Land, TX and their 4 children. Laurie and Victor Love of Round Rock, TX, their 3 children and grandchildren. Rebecca (who passed in 2018) and Jim Wiggins of Dayton, TX, and their 4 children, and grandchildren. David and Nancy Ames of Phoenix, AZ, and their 2 children, and grandchildren. Richard Ames of Humble, TX, his 2 children and grandchildren. Steven and Rita Ames of Dayton, TX their 2 children and grandchildren.

Visitation will be at 1:00 PM Thursday August 8th, with services at 2:00 PM at C. T. Baker and Sons Funeral Home in West Columbia, Texas 77486

In lieu of flowers, please send donations In Memory of Jim Welty; to Samaritan’s Purse, PO Box 3000, Boone, NC28607-3000 or, in Memory of Jim Welty to; St. Jude’s children’s hospital, 501 St. St Jude Place, Memphis, TN. 38105 

Condolences may be left for the family at www.ctbakerfuneral.com