Alton Ray Welch, age 74, of Fry, Georgia passed away on Thursday, November 20, 2025 in Blue Ridge.

Born on March 13, 1951 in Ducktown, Tennessee, he was the son of the late Earl Forrest Welch and Rhoda Marie Joyce Welch. He worked for many years at Cities Service, where he served as lead acid plant operator.

Alton was a member of Fairview Baptist Church. In recent years he enjoyed attending Bethel Church.

How to sum up a full lifetime in a few lines? Alton was a lover and a giver. He was hot headed, hot blooded, but tender hearted. What he loved, he loved passionately. What he disliked, he also gave it his all (think green bell peppers). He was an artisan and a craftsman, a talented musician, a knowledgeable mechanic, a studier of photography and the stars, a gifted woodworker, and a lover of jokes. What he loved, he shared freely. He was passionate about bluegrass music, and passed this legacy to the light of his life, Raven. Alton loved muscle cars and his 1970 orange Road Runner is a legend. He cultivated a love of fast cars in his siblings. His sense of humor was boundless and he was always up for a laugh. If you ever watched him watch Pink Panther movies, you would understand. He created beautiful woodwork, especially intricate wooden Christmas ornaments. Christmas was his favorite time of year and in his younger years, he spent countless days planning his decorations, building what he couldn't find in a store, then he spent hours stringing miles of lights to create his own Christmas wonderland. Nothing made him happier than the planning, surprises, and marvel of the season. He was our rock when illness overtook our dad and through those sacrifices, he kept a roof over our heads. Alton was our father, our brother, our saving grace, our hero, our mentor, and our friend. There is no better legacy than unwavering love.

He is preceded in death by his parents and sister, Earlene Marie Welch.

Alton is survived by his beloved daughter and son-in-law, Raven Welch Harris and husband, Rodney; siblings, Robin Taylor (Chuck), Lane Welch, and Tammy Bennett (Daryn); nieces and nephews, Christopher Welch (Sarah), Laurren Welch Lane (Dustin), Bryant Welch, and Cree Taylor; great nieces and nephews, Addison Welch, Frances Lane, and Lucille Lane; numerous other extended relatives and dear friends also survive.

Funeral services were held on Monday, November 24, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. from the Akins-Cobb Blue Ridge Chapel with Rev. Mitchell Taylor and Rev. Doug Payne officiating. Music was provided by Raven Welch Harris. Interment followed in the Mobile Baptist Church Cemetery with Rodney Harris, Chuck Taylor, Daryn Bennett, Bryant Welch, David Whittenbarger, and Willie Burk serving as pallbearers. The family visited with friends and family at the Akins-Cobb Funeral Home of Blue Ridge, Georgia on Sunday evening, November 23, 2025 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m.

Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.akinscobb.com

Akins-Cobb Funerals & Cremations of Blue Ridge, GA was in charge of these arrangements.