Texarkana Funeral Home Obit

Welch, Thomas Edward

Thomas Edward Welch, age 43, of Texarkana, Texas passed away peacefully in his sleep Tuesday night.

Tommy was an employee of the Waterton Plaza. He lived his life with his heart wide open and was loved by many. As his sister says, “He just couldn’t take one more losing season from the Dallas Cowboys.”

He is preceded in death by his father Frank Welch and a brother Michael Todd.

He is survived by his mother and stepfather Karen and Mickey Akins of Texarkana; a sister Toni Shafer of Fayetteville, Arkansas; a brother and sister-in-law Travis and Heather Welch of Fayetteville, Arkansas; his four beloved nieces Maggie, Lola, Claire, and Olivia of Fayetteville who were his greatest joy; a step brother and sister-in-law Scott and Brooke Akins and family of Madison, Mississippi; a step sister and brother-in-law Nicole and Chandler Buie and family of Longview, Texas; and many aunts, uncles, and loving friends.

Visitation will be 6 to 7:30 P.M. Friday at Texarkana Funeral Home, Texas.

Private graveside services will be 10:00 A.M. Saturday at Avinger Cemetery with Rev. Larry Sims officiating.

A reception in celebration of Tommy’s life will be held at the Atrium of First Baptist Church, Texarkana from 5-7 P.M. Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Diabetes Association; 1701 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311 or donations.diabetes.org.