Ray H. Welch

Ray Howell Welch, age 86, of Hays, passed away on Friday August 25th at Via Christi Nursing Home in Hays, KS. He was born June 29th, 1931 in Cherokee Oklahoma to Silas "Olen" and Thelma Welch. He graduated from Cherokee Oklahoma High School. Ray married Virginia (Dupus) Welch November 24th, 1951 and had two children Ronnie and Randy.

Ray and Virginia owned and operated Welchs Flowers & Greenhouse in Plainville Kansas for almost 50 years. In his early flower shop years Ray helped plant and pick 5 acres of Peony plants by hand for graves on Memorial Day. Their flower shop & greenhouse was next to the fire department so when the fire whistle blew, Ray would open the garage doors to firehouse to save the fire fighters time. Even though he was scared of the height, as a young man Ray traveled the country painting grain elevators. At first, he told his employer he would only help until they got 50 foot off the ground, but once they got that high he kept telling them "Ill go two more feet" until he ended up at the top.

He is survived by and will be missed greatly by grandsons, Heath Welch of Manhattan, KS & Trinten Wille and wife Melissa of Salina, KS; granddaughters Tiffany (Welch) Becker and Husband Shaun of Logan, KS & Tristina Herl and Husband Bryan of Hutchinson, KS and great grandchildren Graysen, Clayton and Reagan Becker. He was preceded in death by his wife, Virginia; sons, Ronnie a grandson Lucas.

Cremation was completed and a private burial will take place in Plainville at a later date.

Thanks to everyone from Via Christi Village and Hospice for being so good to him.

Arrangements are by Brocks-Keithley Funeral Chapel & Crematory, 2509 Vine St., Hays, KS 67601. To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or via email at keithleyfuneralchapels@gmail.com.











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