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Arthur Lee "Curly" Welsh, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, April 21, 2007. He was born March 1, 1914, and was the beloved husband of Jeannette H. Welsh for 61 years. She preceded him in death, but in life they were inseparable. He leaves behind a beautiful legacy of family and friends who cherish him son, Lee Welsh and wife Annie of Santa Fe; daughter, Katy Pickard and husband Griff of Santa Fe; grandchildren, Shawn and Jenny Welsh of Albuquerque, Justin and Katherine Welsh of Sunnyvale, CA, Holly and Mark Newman of Albuquerque, Braiden and Jennifer Welsh of Denver, CO, Michael and Vicki Marra of Albuquerque, Griffin and Jeni Pickard of Austin, TX and Juliette and Jeff Watson of Albuquerque. His adoring great-grandchildren include: Austin and David Welsh, Shannon and Brandon Welsh, Jack and Jessica Newman, Nathanael and Lucas Watson, Caleb and Lindsey Marra and Sasha and Ellie Pickard. Mr. Welsh is also survived by numerous dearly loved nieces and nephews. Curly's legacy of love, integrity, patriotism and community service will live on in his family, friends, and in New Mexico. He was a man of his word, a man of tremendous character and joy bubbling over into every area of his life. At the time of his death, he was New Mexico's oldest living Realtor, having been in the real estate business for seventy years. He helped start the Albuquerque Board of Realtors and Realtor Associations around the state. He and Jeannette loved the outdoors, New Mexico, and especially their family and friends. Curly was a real believer in community service. He served as the president of the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, president of the Albuquerque Board of Realtors, Exalted Ruler of the Elks, Chairman of the March of Dimes, President of the Game Protective Association, Ruling Elder of the First Presbyterian Church of Albuquerque, President of the Fellowship of Christian and Jews and a member of the New Mexico Amigos (NM Goodwill ambassadors). His philosophy was "it is one thing to make money and another to take that wealth and invest it back into your community". He was unashamed of his faith in Jesus Christ, and loved serving his church along with his beloved wife. They were an incredible example of love in their marriage, their family and friends and to all who knew him. Curly never met a stranger, was kind, humble, gracious, and down to earth. He made every person feel valued no matter their background or status. Among the numerous awards given him were the prestigious Realtor Emeritus award given by the National Association of Realtors, and the Santa Fe Living Treasure Award. He truly embodied the real western spirit of helping your neighbor and loving the land. He was bigger than life with his contagious smile and twinkling eyes. He was a perpetual optimist, always seeing the positive in people and situations. Arthur was born in Pena Blanca, NM, to Emma and Michael Welsh. His parents moved to the territory of New Mexico in 1900 from Indiana, shortly after being married when his mother was diagnosed with tuberculosis. They were told, "people were experiencing success with treatment in New Mexico's dry climate". His father was an M.D. and found work in the Jemez mountains as a lumber company's doctor. They lived in Pena Blanca in the winter. Later, they moved to Dawson, NM where his father was one of five doctors in the mining town. His mother eventually moved Arthur and his brother Bob to Albuquerque, to pursue a better education and he graduated from Albuquerque High in 1932. His father died on his fourteenth birthday. Arthur then supported his mother and brother, Robert, with a paper route. That job gave him contact with business customers, and after graduation he pursued a banking career becoming head teller with Albuquerque National Bank at a young age. He then pursued his life long career in the real estate business courageously beginning in the middle of the Great Depression. He met the love of his life, Jeannette Hahn, in Albuquerque in 1938 which was the beginning of a lifelong romance. They were married on April 9, 1939. At age 30, with a wife and two young children, while World War II was still raging, he was drafted and served in the U.S. Army from 1944-1946 in the Philippines and Japan. Upon returning to New Mexico, he took over his former boss' Albuquerque real estate agency, built a successful business and raised a loving family. He and Jeannette moved to Santa Fe in 1978 where they continued to be active in the community. He enjoyed the Don Quixotes, the NM Amigos, the Westerners, their church, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and their cabin in the Pecos Mountains. Their home and hearts were always open to their family and friends. Curly was an avid sportsman and enjoyed sharing fishing and outdoor activities with their friends, children and grandchildren. He will be greatly missed, but the fruit of his life will remain with each life he touched as he passed down his beautiful legacy. Truly, his was life well lived. Well done, good and faithful servant. (Matthew 25:21) The family wishes to thank his wonderful caregivers that took such good care of him in his last years. We also want to thank Della Moseley, faithful bookkeeper for over 40 years, and Cathy Lord, his housekeeper for their faithful service to our family. Services to celebrate his life will be conducted on Wednesday April, 25, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at First United Presbyterian Church, 215 Locust Street, in Albuquerque with Rev. Paul Debenport and Pastor Lee Herring, officiating. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to the First United Presbyterian Church, 215 Locust Street, Albuquerque, NM 87102, The Navigators Ministry, PO Box 6000, Colorado Springs, CO 89034, Casa Esperanza (a home away from home for cancer patients and their families), 1005 Yale Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87106, or to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, PO Box 8249, Missoula, MT 59807. Private family interment will take place at a later date at Santa Fe National Cemetery. French Mortuary, Inc. 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505)823-9400 www.frenchmortuary.com
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