John Franklin Welch, Jr.

John Franklin Welch, age 91, of Avon Park, FL, passed away Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at his residence in Friendswood, TX. He was born July 31, 1934, in Avon Park, FL to John Franklin Welch, Sr. and Rosa Thaxton Welch. Franklin graduated from Avon Park High School in 1952 and enrolled at Florida Christian College in Tampa. After he graduated with his associates degree in 1954, he enrolled at the University of Florida in Gainesville. After completing his junior year of college, he chose to return home to work in the family business, Ridge Fuel Company, along side his father. In 1956, Franklin was drafted in the Army where he served two years. In 1958, he returned home as he was needed to run the family business. Franklin married Judy Thompson on June 23, 1959, and was married for 60 years. A daughter, Tammy, was born on July 31, 1961 on her daddy’s birthday. Laurie was born on March 18, 1963. The girls were their daddy’s pride. He supported and watched them participate in school, band, basketball, softball, cheerleading, and then off to college in Abilene, TX. Franklin was a member of the Avon Park Lions Club for many years. He and Buddy made pancakes multiple times on Saturdays. Franklin was also a charter member of the Breakfast Rotary and a member of the Avon Park Chamber of Commerce where he was the director for two years. Franklin, his brother Glen, and sisters Dot and Mae ran the family propane business for over 60 years. After the business was sold in 2003, he continued working for another six years with Kenny Long installing generators across Florida. They installed over 500 generators since the storms of 2004. Church, work, and family were his priorities but he made time to help others. Many will testify about his willingness to serve others. Franklin has been a member of the Avon Park Church of Christ since he was a teenager. The Welch family helped to start congregations in Sebring, Frostproof, and Wauchula. Franklin has been an elder, teacher, and maintenance person for the church for years. After Judy passed in 2019, Franklin moved to Texas in 2020 to be closer to Laurie and family.

He is survived by his daughters – Tammy (Mark) Krawczyk of Missouri City, TX; Laurie Welch and Stephanie Purgley of Friendswood, TX; Grandchildren – Kalli Wesson and Chuck Ware of Bulverde, TX; J.W. (Mallorie) Wesson of Fort Worth, TX; Tayla (Hayden) Saylor of Muleshoe, TX; and Great Grandchildren – Autumn and Emilie Nelson, J.D., Payson, and Sophie Saylor, and Cadence Ware.

Guest visitation begins at 10:00 AM with the Celebration of Life service at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 3, 2026, at Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home of Avon Park, FL. Graveside service will follow in Bougainvillea Cemetery.

Memorial donations can be made in Franklin’s name to Mt. Dora Christian Academy, 301 W. 13th Avenue, Mt. Dora, FL 32757 or the Parkinson’s Foundation at Parkinson.org.

Arrangements entrusted to: 
Stephenson-Nelson Funeral Home 
Avon Park, Florida 
Online condolences may be left at 
www.stephensonnelsonfh.com