Posted: Thursday, August 14, 2008 12:00 am
Nov. 15, 1940 - Aug. 10, 2008
Derald "Derry" Welch, 67, of Lebanon died peacefully at his home Aug. 10.
Derry was born Nov. 15, 1940, in Colville, Wash. As a child, he moved to Idaho and resided in the Boise Valley for several years.
He moved to Oregon in the late 1950s and lived in Corvallis from the mid 1970s until moving to Lebanon in 1995. Derry worked as a heavy equipment operator and built many logging roads in the Willamette Valley. He retired in the mid-1980s. He was also the owner and operator of Mid Valley Cycle in Corvallis for five years.
Derry enjoyed woodworking and making cabinets. He loved his animals, riding motorcycles, jet skis and snowmobiles. He also loved watching NASCAR racing and was a huge fan of Dale Earnhardt.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Laura Stevens.
He is survived by his wife, Mary, of Lebanon; three daughters, Danne Crawford of Winnemucca, Nev., Suzanne Epperson of Virginia Beach, Va., and Kaci Ehrenfelt of Lebanon; brother, Tom Welch of Vancouver, Wash.; sister, Lila Vezzoso of Nampa, Idaho; seven grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A private family celebration of life was held. Huston-Jost Funeral Home is in care of arrangements.