WELTON, Gary LeRoy 1939-2016

WELTON, CRANSTON, ARMAGOST

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 1/11/2016 at 11:19:23

CHARLES CITY, IOWA — Gary Welton, 76, of Charles City, passed away Saturday, January 9, 2016, at The Mayo Clinic Hospital, St. Marys Campus in Rochester, Minnesota.

A gathering of family and friends to celebrate Gary’s life will be held Tuesday, January 12, 2016, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Charles City.

Gary LeRoy Welton, the son of Max and Rhoda (Cranston) Welton, was born May 8, 1939, in Louisville, Nebraska. He received his education in Louisville, graduating from Louisville High School in 1956.

Gary was awarded a full scholarship from the University of Nebraska to play football, but was only able to stay there for one year due to injury. He transferred to Kearney State Teacher’s College, now known as the University of Nebraska at Kearney, where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education and he participated in track, basketball and football. Gary lettered in all three sports, but football was his main passion. He was named All Conference, Outstanding Lineman in the Conference and was later inducted into their Athletic Hall of Fame. Gary was offered a chance to try out for the Chicago Bears, but he felt that he needed to start teaching to support his family. He played two years (1964 & 1965) with the semi-pro team the Omaha Mustangs.

Gary was united in marriage to Marla Armagost on February 27, 1960, in David City, Nebraska. He taught for two years in Ravenna, Nebraska and two years in David City, Nebraska before the couple moved to Charles City in 1967. Gary was a sales representative for Sinclair Oil for several years. He worked at White Farm for two years and also sold for the Harvestore Company. Gary and Marla then moved to McCook, Nebraska, where he was in fuels management for 13 years. Gary loved the work he did with the railroad, service stations and farmers in the area. They moved back to Charles City in 1995 and have made this their home ever since.

Gary was a past member of the Cedar Ridge Golf Course in Charles City, the Elks Lodge and was an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, working in his yard and gardening, but he loved to play golf. Gary volunteered countless hours at the Charles City Country Club planting trees to help the course grow to what it is today.

Living family members include his wife Marla of Charles City; son, Guy (Kim) Welton of Papillion, Nebraska; eight grandchildren: Jenna, Trae, Mitchell, Jalen, Peyton, Tatum, Halle and Kelli; son-in-law, Carey Paxton of Mattoon, Illinois; brother-in-law, Jim (Betty Jo) Armagost of Kearney, Nebraska; along with several nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Susan Paxton; and three brothers: Marc, Larry and Jimmy Welton.

Hauser Funeral Home, (641) 228-2323, in Charles City, is in charge of arrangements.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.hauserfh.com.

Source: Mason City Globe Gazette, 11 JAN 2016