Russell Eugene Welch, 72, of Highland Village, Texas, formerly of Mountain Grove, Missouri, passed away on June 20, 2024. Russ was born on June 28, 1952, in Springfield, Missouri, and grew up in Mountain Grove, Missouri, attending Mountain Grove High school. Russ graduated High School as Valedictorian of his class in 1970. He played football, basketball, baseball and ran track and enjoyed being a Panther. His interest in science and math led Russ to attend the University of Missouri-Rolla seeking an engineering degree.
Russ graduated from UMR in 1974 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering. Upon graduation, Russ accepted a job with Mobil Oil as a reservoir engineer in Oklahoma City, Denver and the Dallas area. He worked for Mobil for 25 years until 2000. Following that he spent time working at Kerr McGee, Encore Acquisitions and Denbury Resources. He retired from Denbury as a Senior Reservoir Engineer in 2015.
While living in Denver, he met and married Margot Westfall on June 20, 1987, and gained a step-son, Chris, who was 10 years at the time.
Russ enjoyed his career very much, but his family and friends were the driving force in his life. He was always interested in putting the needs of others before his own. His family felt his love when times got tough and always knew Russ would be there with a supportive ear and advice. Russ was a proud husband and father, but his proudest moments were being a grandfather to Emma and Lilly and a great-uncle to Andie. He was eager to hear how everyone was doing and all the exciting things the grandkids were up to. Russ loved to laugh and love to tease; his jokes will be missed!
Even though he was rewarded with much he enjoyed the simple things the most in life. Although he lived most of his adult life in large cities he was always a country boy at heart. He liked to be outdoors, in the country observing nature. Fishing on a river was relaxing and an escape from city life. He was a loving and caring person and especially enjoyed being with his two granddaughters, Emma and Lilly Lehman and recently his great-niece Andy Wheat. His favorite vacation destination was Hawaii where he and Margot spent their honeymoon and many subsequent trips thereafter.
Russ accepted Christ as his savior and Lord at an early age while attending vacation Bible school. He held a strong Christian belief and was a member of the First Baptist Church-Lewisville at the time of his death.
Russ was preceded in death by his parents, Atha and Bernal Welch, and his youngest sister, Letha Welch, his paternal grandparents, Hettie and Luther Welch, and his maternal grandparents, Maude and Ewing Halliburton.
Survivors include his wife, Margot, one sister, Leta Sapp and her husband, Ron, a step-son and daughter-in-law, Chris and Brittney Lehman and two granddaughters, Emma and Lilly Lehman.
