Posted: Thursday, August 14, 2008 12:00 am
Nov. 15, 1940 - Aug. 10, 2008
Derald "Derry" Welch, 67, of Lebanon died peacefully at his home on Sunday.
Derry was born Nov. 15, 1940, in Colville, Wash. As a child, he moved to Idaho and resided in the Boise Valley for several years. He moved to Oregon in the late 1950s. He lived in Corvallis from the mid-1970s until moving to Lebanon in 1995. Derry worked as a heavy equipment operator and built many logging roads in the Willamette Valley. He retired in the mid-1980s. He was the owner and operator of Mid Valley Cycle in Corvallis for five years.
Derry enjoyed woodworking and making cabinets. He loved his animals, and riding motorcycles, jet skis and snowmobiles. He also loved watching NASCAR races and was a huge fan of Dale Earnhardt.
He is survived by his wife, Mary of Lebanon; daughters Danne Crawford of Winnemucca, Nev., Suzanne Epperson of Virginia Beach, Va., and Kaci Ehrenfelt of Lebanon; brother Tom Welch of Vancouver, Wash.; sister Lila Vezzoso of Nampa, Idaho; seven grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Stevens.
A private family celebration of life was held. Huston-Jost Funeral Home is handling arrangements.