James Welsh

James Welsh was born September 30, 1942, the son of Leo and Geraldine Perry Welsh. He passed away Friday, September 28, 2012, at the Denison Health Care Center in Denison, Iowa, at the age of 69.
James was born in Glendale, California. He received his education in the Sioux City, Iowa, schools graduating with the Central High Class of 1959. James joined the U.S. Navy after high school and received his honorable discharge in June 19, 1963. On December 21, 1965, James was united in marriage to Mary Hanrahan at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church in Denison, Iowa, by Fr. Jerome Koenig. The couple was blessed with the birth of two sons. He attended Allan Hancock College in Santa Maria, California, graduating in 1975. James ventured to Iowa and his first job was driving cement truck. He then began working at the Denison Police Department as a dispatcher in 1975 moving to patrol officer, then detective and canine officer in the Denison, Vail, and then Charter Oak police departments until his retirement in 2000.
After retiring from the Police Department, James continued to operate the Pawn Shop in Denison until selling it in 2004. He loved to travel and had seen the sights of Australia, Alaska, Jamaica, Bimini Island, and the Virgin Islands. In his younger years James liked to go fishing and hunting. Some of his favorite things on TV included watching football, NASCAR racing, the History Channel, and Tiger Woods playing golf. He also enjoyed a good game of chess. James was a motorcycle enthusiast and joined the Blue Knights Motorcycle Club made up of retired law enforcement officers. His passion for motorcycles also included trips to Sturgis, South Dakota. James collected coins, guns, jewelry, and was especially interested in the history of WWI, WWII, and the Civil War.
James was preceded in death by his parents and one half-brother, Robert Walters. He is survived by his wife, Mary of Denison; two sons, Leo Welsh and his wife, Sara of Vail, Iowa; and Daniel Welsh of Burnsville, Minnesota; five grandchildren, Cory, Sydney, Kassidy, Tanner, and Tyler; other relatives and friends.