Jerry Rocket Welch

Jerry Rocket Welch was born to Naomi Florence Johnson and Homer Alver Welch, July 13, 1932, in the small farming town of Tahoka, up in the panhandle of Texas. He was the middle of five children, Wesley, Johnny, Jerry, Janice, and Jack. The family later moved to New Mexico, then to Bakersfield, California when Jerry was fourteen. He attended Bakersfield High School. He enlisted in the Air Force in 1952. He served as an aircraft engine mechanic, stationed at Seoul, Korea in 1953. He married his high school sweetheart, Christine Brewer in 1954. After Jerry concluded his service for the Air Force in 1956, they moved back to Bakersfield where Jerry attended night school and became an electrician. He was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Union. Later, they moved to San Luis Obispo, California, where Jerry worked at the nuclear power plant at Avila Beach for eight years.

He has two daughters and sons-in-law, Sandra (John) Simpson, Tena (Mike) Thornton. Jerry has two grandchildren Scott and Christen (Mike). He has many loved nieces and nephews. Jerry and Christine moved to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho to join Sandra and John in 1985.

Jerry had a friendly, optimistic personality and loved people. He served as a deacon in the Church of Christ in Bakersfield and as an Elder in the church in Coeur d’Alene. Jerry enjoyed fishing, boating, camping, and traveling in his RV. He and Christine traveled to every state and most of Canada, making many friends along the way.