Robert "Mike" Welch

Services will be live-streamed and may be viewed by clicking here.

Mike Welch, 76, of Carlsbad, NM, passed away Wednesday, May 15, 2024 at his home surrounded by his family.   Cremation has taken place and a memorial service is scheduled for 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at First Methodist Church Carlsbad with Rody Chesser officiating.

Mike was born March 18, 1948, in Chatham County, North Carolina to Clyde Welch and Jean Steed.

At the young age of 12, Mike lost his father. He walked in the next day and announced he was quitting school to get a job and provide for his mother and sister. While his mom did not let him quit school, it set in motion his drive and ambition to work hard and provide for his family.

Mike’s life was always centered around agriculture. From growing up helping on the family tobacco farm to starting his first cow/calf operation at 4 years old with a single calf, his love for the industry was his greatest passion. He began working for his step-father, HL Horney, who owned several livestock auctions across North Carolina. Mike worked at the sale barn, bought cattle in the country and went on to coordinate the trucking side of the business. He also served in the Army Reserves.

Mike married Wanda Sue Culberson on June 22, 1968. In 1973, Mike, Wanda and “Little” Mike moved 1,595 from Siler City to 7 Rivers where Mike began a career in the feedyard industry. In 1988, he purchased 7 Rivers Feedyard, a feed mill, and a baby calf operation in Dexter. He was one of a few that championed bringing the dairy industry into the Pecos Valley.

Mike’s life is marked by his ability to overcome adversity. In 1995, he retired to the back porch for a couple of years where he formulated his comeback plan. During that time, Triple C was born. He and his son started a commodity trading and trucking business from the ground up that has at times included a fleet of 40 trucks.

Through the years, Mike has maintained relationships with people he has worked with in agriculture for 50+ years. He has also had the opportunity to cultivate employee relationships as exemplified by multiple generations of families working for his businesses.

One time when interviewing him for a school project, he encouraged us to “pursue, pursue, pursue.” He believed if you had a dream - chase it. His life’s ambition was to give his children, grandchildren and great-children the opportunity and ability to work hard and dream big.

Mike enjoyed work, he also enjoyed hunting and fishing. After his wife Wanda passed, his best friend Ray Westall and his dog, Biscuit were his best companions. He and Ray could solve all the world’s problems over dinner.

He was preceded in death by his parents: Clyde Welch, Jean Welch Horney, Harry Lee Horney; wife, Wanda Culberson Welch; sister, Jeanne Stone; father and mother-in-law, Colon and Mildred Culberson; sister-in-law, Linda Culberson, and brother-in-law, Shelby “Porky” Culberson.

Survivors are his son, Mike Welch and wife, Deanna of Carlsbad, NM; daughter, Wendy Chesser and husband, Rody of San Angelo, Texas; grandchildren: TaNessa Sedillo and husband, David, TaLynn Harvey and husband, Riley, TaBree Welch, Shelby Welch, Kyra Wallace and husband, Spencer, David Chesser, Katie Chesser, Josie Chesser, and Julia Chesser; great-grandchildren: David, Dominic, Derrick and Rynlee Sedillo, Hath Harvey and soon Ruston Wallace; sister, Patty Neinast and husband, Mark, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

Honorary pallbearers are Ray and Karen Westall, Linda Wilson, Maria Medina, Efren Baeza, Tom and Carol Martin, Steve Poe, and Ed Culberson.

Condolences may be expressed at dentonwood.com