James E. Welch Dr.

Dr. James E. (Jim) Welch, a local psychiatrist, died on August 5, 2009 after a lengthy illness and stays at Good Samaritan and La Posada of Mesilla Valley Hospice. James E. Welch was born on June 17th, 1924 in Los Angeles, California to Earl and Lucill e Sine Welch. The Welch family later moved to North Carolina and then to Virginia where Jim attended schools in Suffolk and graduated from Suffolk High School. Jim subsequently attended Virginia Tech for one semester before joining the Army Air Corps. During his military service, Jim was stationed on Guam and flew many missions over Japan, proudly serving his country as a navigator. After the war, Jim returned to North Carolina and enrolled at Duke University where he received his M.D. Jim married the former Joyce Laybourn and they lived in Denver where Jim practiced general medicine. Jim went on to complete a residency in Psychiatry and spent the remainder of his professional career as an esteemed and well-loved psychiatrist. Jim and his family moved to Las Cruces in 1969 and he opened a private practice in Psychiatry. Jim's love was for medicine and he practiced with specialties in the field of psychiatry that enabled him to help many, many patients during his professional life. Patients frequently referred to Jim as a "lifesaver" for them. He was active at Memorial Medical Center and served as Chief of Staff. Jim was one of the founders of Mesilla Valley Hospital, which opened in 1986, and he served as the hospital's first CEO. Jim also worked at the New Mexico State University Health Center where colleagues, students, and patients came to love his humor and caring ways. In March of 1991, Jim married Mary Mathers of Las Cruces and together for the years to come, the couple became a viable part of the Las Cruces Community. From Aggie Sports events to events for every charitable organization, from family celebrations to university graduations, Jim and Mary were there. In addition to running a thriving private medical practice, Jim loved to fly his Cessna 182; he was an avid bridge player; and he was interested in cattle, farming, and woodworking. Jim was a vibrant and active community member, a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, and great-grandfather. His presence will be missed in our community. Jim is survived by his wife, Mary; his sister, Frances Tuthill of Albuquerque; daughters Julie Schultz (Kurt) of Parker, Colorado, Holly Finlay of Albuquerque, and son James (Susan) of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He is also survived by his stepdaughter Laura Conniff (John) of Las Cruces and his stepson Les Mathers of Morton, Illinois. In addition, Jim is survived by grandchildren Clint and Natalie Schultz, Alex and Matthew Finlay, Zoe Welch, and step grandchildren Ryan Paulowsky (Whitney), Sarah Rice (Cameron) and Lindsay, Katie and Tom Mathers. Jim also leaves behind a great granddaughter, Mary Kiley Paulowsky, a niece, Martha Cook (John), and a nephew, Jon Tuthill (Gail). The family would like to thank Tom Hume, Jim's caretaker, friend and companion for the last several months, the many wonderful people of Good Samaritan and Hospice, and Drs. Webb and Benevento. Your loving concern for Jim during his illness is appreciated so very much. A memorial service for Dr. Welch will be on Friday August 7, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. at the Getz Funeral Home Chapel. Officiating will be Dr. Jay R. Bishop. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that those who wish to do so honor Jim with a donation to New Mexico State University Foundation: NMSU Foundation, Inc. P.O. Box 3590 Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003-3590 or Mesilla Valley Hospice: 299 E. Montana Las Cruces, NM 88005 . PDF Printable Version