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Jefferey A. Welch, 64

Jefferey “Jeff” Allen Welch passed away at the Hospice House on June 7, 2019, at 1:20 a.m. at the age of 64. His love of family and friends, love of life and dogged determination gave him courage to fight his 3-year battle with lymphoma.

He was predeceased by his grandparents, Maynard Smith and Marion McCoy Smith; his uncles, Stanley and Luke Smith and his stepfather, Bill Dowling.

Jeff is survived by his loving wife, Susan Welch, of 35 years. They were married in Champaign, Ill., on March 31, 1984. Through thick and thin, their partnership managed to grow stronger as the years went by. Love lasts eternally.

Jeff is lovingly remembered by his son, Jesse (Jordyn) Welch; his grandson, Axton Welch; his mother, Jane Dowling; his sister, Missy (Ken) Hansen; his brother, Paul (Tracy) Welch and his many nieces and nephews, whom he loved with all of his heart.

Jeff was born in Fort Lee, Va., on Aug. 5, 1954. In 1972, he graduated from Centennial High School in Champaign, and after finding his career choice, he went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in fire science from Southern Illinois University in 1981.

He began his career in the fire service in 1978 with the fire department in Urbana, Ill. He retired from the department in 1999, when he accepted a position in Hayden, Idaho, as fire chief. Even after retiring from Hayden Fire, Jeff remained affiliated with the fire service by serving as a fire sprinkler inspector for Simplex Grinnell in Spokane, Wash.

Jeff was a born teacher and was passionate about ensuring that firefighters learn their craft and remain safe during their careers. Jeff worked as an adjunct instructor for the University of Illinois Fire Service Institute while living in Illinois and continued to develop and conduct training after moving to Idaho. For the last several years, he has provided mentorship and assisted with training conducted by 2nd Due Training. One of his proudest accomplishments was being an instructor with the 1403 Live Fire Training for Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) each year. Jeff considered the 1403 “brothers” as family.

Jeff was most proud of his son, Jesse, and he was blessed to be able to meet his grandson, Axton, who was born on Feb. 1, 2019. When holding Axton, the pride that Jeff felt for Jesse was reflected into Axton’s eyes. Jeff’s family and friends promise to ensure that Axton will know the legacy of his grandfather.

A traditional fire service memorial will be held at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at Real Life Ministries, 1860 N. Cecil Road, Building 1, Post Falls, Idaho. A celebration of his life will follow from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Services Training Facility at 5271 E. Seltice Way, Post Falls.

One of Jeff’s wishes was to help provide for the families of law enforcement officers and firefighters in the event of line-of-duty catastrophic injury or death. Jeff’s family and close friends vow to make that wish a reality. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Jeff Welch Memorial Fund, Mountain West Bank, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.