Richard “Arlan” Welsh: Oct 19, 1940 to Sept 8, 2016

    It is with unbelievable sadness that we announce the passing of our father, friend, and mentor. Arlan was born in Crosby Mississippi to Margie and E.J. Welsh. Early in his childhood, his family moved to Baton Rouge where Arlan attended Istrouma High School where he played on their championship winning football teams. After high school, Arlan entered the U.S. Army during the Vietnam war serving as a Specialist 3rd class, setting up and maintaining communications systems for military operations. During his time in the military, Arlan was able to attend the 1964 Tokyo Olympics, something he spoke so fondly about and was proud to have attended. After his time in the military, in 1965, Arlan met and married Alice Ann Powell and relocated to Los Angeles where we started a long career with General Telephone. In 1966, they started their family with the birth of Jeff and in 1969, Kelly. His time at General Telephone saw him rise through the ranks from an entry level lineman to leading management teams that laid the ground work for the systems that we all enjoy today. In 1993 before his retirement, Arlan and his management team were honored by the company and their peers as Management Team of the year. After his retirement from the phone company in 1994, Arlan relocated to Bay St. Louis Mississippi where he spent his retirement on the Jordan River. It was during this time Arlan enjoyed the most, spending time with his four grandkids (Mark, Katie, Maggie, and Riley) and his friends on the river. Our dad spent the last 50 years getting us ready for this day and he knows we are ready. Dad, your love, friendship, mentorship and teachings are deep within us and we are passing those down to your grandchildren, the firefighters I lead and all of the employees and businesses Kelly represents. We love and miss you.   
Love, Jeff and Kelly