Benjamin "Benny" Welch, Sr.

Benjamin Carl Welch Sr., of Oak Grove, LA, the Patriarch of the Welch Family, was called home to be with the Heavenly Father alongside his loving wife, Linda, of 55 years and his only daughter, Alice, at the age of 77 on Tuesday, August 21, 2018. Benjamin Welch was born on August 7, 1941 to Amedy “Buster” P. and Dora Welch of Oak Grove, LA.

In adolescent years, he learned the skills of a cattleman, hunting and trapping, all while working on the family dairy farm. These would become an expertise of Benny over the years that he ensured to pass down to his children and grandchildren. “Outdoors man” is only part of the legacy he has left behind.

Benny’s strength in character can be defined by the hard times he endured as a teenager. In 1957, Benny clung to the sturdy oak, that remains in his front yard, as Hurricane Audrey destroyed the world he knew around him. His will to live gave him the ability to survive the storm along with his parents and sisters. From there on, he rebuilt never looking back and keeping an optimistic outlook on life.

He attended South Cameron High School before Hurricane Audrey, where he played quarterback and ran track for the South Cameron Tarpons. Due to the storm, he relocated his junior year to Grand Lake High School and was the first quarterback of the Grand Lake Hornets and a state champion in track. His senior year, he returned to South Cameron High School to finish out the legacy he began as the first quarterback of the Mighty Tarpons after the Hurricane. In his high school career, he won eight state championships in track, which included scholarships that paid for his college education.

In 1959, Benny enrolled at McNeese State University where he majored in Elementary Education. After receiving his Bachelor’s Degree, he went on to achieve his Master’s Plus 30 in Administration and Supervision. He began his professional career at Johnson Bayou Elementary School, then moved to Cameron Elementary and ultimately became the seventh grade teacher at Grand Chenier Elementary. He was then promoted to Principal of Grand Chenier where he finished out his thirty year career. During his professional career, he was first an educator, as well as an avid coach of many sports, with football being his passion. He inspired and mentored the community’s youth through education and sports for years to come and his impact on the community is evident through every life that he influenced.

In the 1980s, Benny became one of the first alligator farmers in the state of Louisiana and one of the founders of the Fur and Alligator Advisory Council. In 1998, he took his entrepreneur skills and established the Original Cajun Bens LLC, which included alligator, venison and eventually crawfish snack sticks. He later branched out to include all alligator novelty products, specializing in alligator teeth. His products are featured worldwide; from concerts, country music videos, and even Monday Night Football.

In his retirement, he and Linda enjoyed traveling throughout the United States to promote their alligator business; all the while, kindling new friendships and continuing to grow old friendships. He was a lifelong member of Grand Chenier United Methodist Church and was a steward of the church.

Benny is preceeded in death by his wife of 55 years, Linda Welch; his daughter, Alice Welch Little; mother and father, Amedy “Buster” P. and Dora Welch.

Benny is survived by his three sons, Ben Welch, Yancy (Betty) Welch, and Leslie “Rusty” (Ashley) Welch; his sisters, Sharron (Warren) Conner and Francis (Charles) Perry; along with sixteen plus grandchildren and many great grandchildren.

In true Benny Welch fashion, he would quote to everyone reading this, “Don’t worry, everything is going to be O.K.!”

The family will receive friends at Johnson Funeral Home on Sunday, August 26, 2018 from 10AM to 10PM. Visitation will continue on Monday in the gymnasium of South Cameron High School from 10AM-1PM. Funeral services will follow at 1PM, in the gym, officiated by Pastor Melvin J. Yorks. Interment will follow at Rutherford Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be made to Grand Chenier United Methodist Church, 2873 Grand Chenier Highway, Grand Chenier, LA 70643.