Dr. James E. Welch Jr.

James E. Welch Jr., DC, passed away at his home in Lumberton, Texas, at 4:25 a.m. Monday, July 22, 2024, at the age of 70 with his beloved wife, Lisa Bailey Welch, and his family at his side, ending a courageous battle with cancer and other health issues.  A native of Beaumont, Texas, Dr. Welch lived a full life and enjoyed tremendous success as a doctor of chiropractic, practicing for nearly four decades in Southeast Texas.

Dr. Welch attended French High School in Beaumont, where his parents were in the production and management side of the newspaper business. In search of a big paycheck after high school, he briefly worked for railroad in the bridge and building department, before getting tired of heaving creosote-soaked timbers and cross ties in the Texas heat.  Like many chiropractors, his first step toward a new career came when another chiropractor – his stepfather, Gerard Betcher, DC – took him under his wing, and he worked in Dr. Betcher’s Houston practice for six years. Dr. Welch eventually enrolled at Texas Chiropractic College in Pasadena, Texas, graduating in 1983. At TCC, Dr. Welch was honored with the Outstanding Intern Award and headed the X-ray department. He began practicing in 1984 in Lumberton, Texas, and, in 1997, joined four other chiropractors at Beaumont Spinal Care Associates before purchasing the practice in 2008. Dr. Welch operated his Beaumont practice until November 2023 with his daughter, Kimberly Welch, running the office. Together, they provided quality care for patients and made a positive impact in the community, one spine at a time.

But being a chiropractor wasn’t enough for Dr. Welch. He served at the district and state levels in the Texas Chiropractic Association (TCA) and made history along the way. He served as TCA President from 2000-01 before becoming the first doctor ever to serve non-concurrent terms with a second term from 2015-16. At a time when no one else was willing to serve, Dr. Welch – as always – stepped up because he loved his association and profession. Dr. Welch was heavily involved in legislative activities for TCA and played a pivotal role in getting pro-chiropractic legislation passed at the State Capitol. Dr. Welch won numerous honors from TCA, with the highlight being the Keeler Plaque, recognizing the chiropractor of the year in Texas, in 2018-19. Dr. Welch’s favorite expressions were “been there, done that” or “this ain’t my first rodeo” due to his decades of experience in TCA leadership. Dr. Welch also served nationally with the American Chiropractic Association (ACA) as a member of the ACA Governors’ Advisory Council. In 2016, he was admitted as a Fellow to the esteemed International College of Chiropractors.  He was also knighted into the High Country Chiropractic Knights of the Round Table (HCCK) – one of the highest honors that can be achieved in chiropractic. The HCCK is a prestigious, invitational fraternal organization of the highest caliber where he served as the esteemed chairman from 2018-2020.

Dr. Welch was an avid golfer.  When he wasn’t playing golf, he was watching the Golf Channel. But his true passion was music. In high school, he started a band with his brother and two friends.  He went on to major in music at Lamar University while also being a member of the marching band.  Dr. Welch sang in the choir and on the praise team at the Family Worship Center Lumberton for over 15 years. He also enjoyed family get-togethers or gatherings for the holidays and birthday celebrations, but especially spending time with his wife, Lisa, whom he met in 2003 and married in 2004. They would have celebrated their 20th anniversary later this year.

Dr. Welch is preceded in death by his parents, father James E. Welch Sr. and mother Reta Betcher. He is survived by wife, Lisa Bailey Welch, Lumberton; daughter Kimberly Welch, Beaumont; two grandsons, Jordan Elyas, Lumberton, and Jadon Seabourne, Lumberton; brother Lewis (Kim) Welch and sister-in-law Beverly Welch, Kountze; niece Amber McDonald and her husband Sterling McDonald, Kountze; nephew Ben Welch and wife Chiarra Welch, Spring; and aunt Peaches Conway, Center.

A memorial service honoring Dr. Welch’s remarkable life will take place on Saturday, August 3.  Visitation from noon-2 p.m. and memorial service at 2 p.m. at Family Worship Center Lumberton, 341 North Village Creek Hwy, Lumberton, TX 77657. The family will gather, and a meal will be served afterwards. In lieu of flowers, Dr. Welch requested that colleagues, family, friends, and patients consider a donation to either TCA’s Chiropractic Development Initiative at www.chirotexas.org/CDI to advance chiropractic in Texas or the music ministry at FWC Lumberton.

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