Samuel Welch

Samuel Hughes Welch, 88 years old, died on Jan. 2, 2014. He was born July 26, 1925 in Farmington, Utah to Samuel Welch and Minnie Jane Hughes. He was the oldest of 7 children. He was raised in Harper Ward near Brigham City, Utah. Sam enlisted in the Naval Air Corps before he graduated from Box Elder High School. The Navy trained Sam to fly airplanes from aircraft carriers and in 1946, Sam received his wings. He was honorably discharged from the Navy but continued his military service in the Naval Reserves. He attained the rank of Commander before retiring from the Naval Reserves.
Sam married Caryol Johnson on June 11, 1948 in the Logan Temple. They recently celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary. They have 6 children; Steve, Karen Pierce, Keith, Marilyn Nielson, Paul and Todd. Karen and Todd preceded their dad in death.
Sam graduated from the University of Utah as a Chemical Engineer. He retired from Hill Air Force Base after working for 29 years as an engineer in the missile and munitions testing program. Sam loved listening to the Utah Jazz games on his radio.
Sam served in many callings in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as Elders Quorum President, Ward and Stake Clerk, Counselor in the Bishopric, High Councilor, High Priest Group Leader and as a home teacher for more than 65 years.
Sam and Caryol served in the Ogden Temple baptistry and in the Bountiful Temple as ordinance workers. They served missions to the England Coventry Mission, to the Sydney Australia Temple, in England indexing the 1881 Census and at the Bountiful Employment Center. Sam and Caryol faithfully attended the Temple wherever they were in the world. For several years they spent every Wednesday in the Bountiful Temple. Sam and Caryol also served as voting judges for many years.
Sam leaves behind his wife, Caryol; his children Steve (Mary Lou), Keith (Doris), Marilyn (Mark) Nielson and Paul (Denise); his siblings Newel, Minnie Jane (Derwin) Lewis and Garth (Melba); his brother-in-law Melvin Dean, sister-in-law Wanee Welch and Caryol’s sister Irene Millar. Sam and Caryol have 21 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren, with more anticipated this year.
In lieu of flowers or plants, please donate to the charity of your choice. Funeral services will be held at 11 am, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2014, at the Farmington Rock Chapel 272 North Main. Friends and family may visit Friday, Jan. 10, 2014, between 6 and 8 pm at Russon Brothers Farmington Mortuary, 1941 N Main, or on Saturday, 9:45 to 10:45 at the church. Sam will be buried in the Farmington Cemetery where many of his deceased family members are buried.