James (Jim) Michael Welch at age 65, passed away on November 27, 2015, at the Dougherty Hospice Home in Sioux Falls, SD. He was surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren.

A Celebration of Jim’s life will be held on Saturday, December 5, 2015 at 1PM at the Heartland Funeral Home with visitation beginning at noon. Jim will receive full military honors. A gathering for family and friends will be held, immediately after, at the Cascade Room located at the Holiday Inn City Centre, downtown Sioux Falls, SD from 3-7PM.

Jim was born August 9, 1950, in La Crosse, WI, to Myron and Clara Welch. He was raised in La Crosse, WI, graduating from Central High School and attending the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse. Jim served in the military for 12 years in both the Navy and Army. His true calling was his distinguished service as a Police Officer in Fayetteville, NC where he served duties as a Patrol Officer, Training Officer and Leader of the Fugitive Squad. Jim retired with honors from the Fayetteville Police Department.

Jim had a true passion for body building in which he earned numerous trophies as a young man that includes bench press champion in his weight class in Wisconsin and was followed by trophies for benching 400 pounds at age 50, in North Carolina. He was the pillar of strength both physical and mental. Jim was an avid reader. Some of his favorite authors were Tom Clancy and Steven King. He was intrigued by murder mysteries. Jim later transitioned to watching TV shows such as CSI and Law and Order, where he would consistently pointed out the legal flaws in the shows from his years of Law Enforcement training.

The Denver Broncos always had a fan when Jim was watching. Jim also had a passion for training dogs. His favorite pet was a pit bull named Peaches that reached the ripe old age of 14. Peaches was trained to protect the home and ensure his son, Bill had a constant guardian while Jim was working.

Jim will be greatly missed by his lovely daughter, Michelle, son, Bill, and grandchildren, Alyssa and Billy. He has one brother, Michael, and a lifelong friend, Everette. Jim also filled the father role to Marissa. His guidance turned boys into men and he will never be forgotten.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents.

Jim will be missed mostly by his loving family and friends as well as the community of Fayetteville, NC as he dedicated his life to creating a better place for residents to live while he served as a Law Enforcement Officer. Heaven has received another guardian angel. His primary duty now is to look over his family and friends and provide the spiritual guidance that they will need to continue living life and making Jim proud from the heavens above.