Contributions to the tribute of Dustin Welch

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Jake posted a condolence

Saturday, August 21, 2021

I will never forget the first time I met you. You came into the room wearing a Tommy Hilfiger shirt... an outkast just like the rest of us. You didn't say much. Some might say you were nervous but I know you were just quietly observing. A week later you had a new guitar and you were trying your hardest to get that D chord down. We all knew the guitar wasn't your thing, but the act was enough to let us know that you cared. All of our lives changed that night in the field with you. While some of us were banging our heads on the shed wall, you constantly held it together. You watched over us. You kept us grounded in reality. And you built a damn good fire. You always build damn good fires. And then you brought that Animals tape over to the London Bridge one night... damn good music. We just sat and stared into the heater and kept flipping it over and over. You were so proud for discovering it and sharing it with us. Fast forward another year or so... I had just escaped the group home and was homeless in the winter. I randomly ran into you at the Food Lion, and you gave me the coat off your back without hesitation. I wish I never lost it because it was by far the best coat I have ever owned. Remember that time we bought a $1000 head of lettuce? The look on your face when you pulled it from your pocket was priceless. I will never forget it. Man we were so dumb when we were young. And when we are old too. You are one of only two people on this earth that have seen me meditate. Luckily the other person had no idea what I was doing and didn't care, but you know... you scared me half to death when you interrupted me. But you never told anyone what I was doing. And I thank you for keeping that secret. I will continue to keep your secrets as well brother. I'm glad that you came out to Portland to visit me so many years ago. That led you on the path to creating Miles, and I know that he is your reason for living. That is something nobody can ever take from you... you are the most loving father I have ever met. I hope you know how much we all realize that you are a great father. Remember that time we hiked up to Sam's Knob and then just walked out into the middle of nowhere? That is such a great memory. You cooked up some of the best eggrolls I have ever tasted. You are a damn good chef. We drove to the mountains and hiked to the top of the mountain and looked out at infinity. We saw a rock sticking out of the trees and decided to check it out. I wonder if anyone will ever find what we left under that pebble? After we returned home I gave you a call the next day, but you were gone. You drove back up to Sam's Knob and spent the night all alone up there. I know you were scared out of your mind that night... pitch black dark, the wind howling, the rustling of the brush... but you made it. I'll never forget the look on your face as you told that story... it was intense. You know you faced your fears that night and accomplished something great. You gave it your all brother. And now you know the answers to all those questions that we struggled to figure out. I am reminded of the many times you said to me "Dandridge, you don't even know... you don't even know". Well, you are right man... I have no idea. I’m still clueless. But I know you got it all figured out now. I can see you smirking about it while I type. And I know that one day you will share it with me. When I talk about you and tell others about our stories, I'm not going to refer to you in the past tense my friend. Because I know you are still here. Please keep an eye on us man. And know that we always appreciate you... and we always love you.

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Joshua Stirkcland Posted Aug 21, 2021 at 1:45 PM

That's some good remembering, he braved that mountain during a night of high winds, he returned from that trip a true mountain man.

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Kristi Benthal planted a tree in memory of Dustin Welch

Thursday, August 19, 2021

In loving memory of Dustin, who was a good friend to my daughter Missourie. May your spirit rest in peace and all the fondest memories of you live on Join in honoring their life - plant a memorial tree

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Carol Welch lit a candle

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

It’s hard to believe Dusty Butt is gone. He was definitely one of a kind. I know he’s with his beloved MeeMaw. Love you, Dusty, and I will see you again one day

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Mitch, Teresa, Ethan, and Logan Hurt purchased flowers

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Mitch, Teresa, Ethan, and Logan Hurt

purchased the Lovely One Spathiphyllum Plant and planted a memorial tree for the family of Dustin Welch. Send Flowers

"Dustin Welch" brought so many gifts to our life. We will never forget him! We love you!

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Joshua Strickland uploaded photo(s)

Wednesday, August 18, 2021

Dustin Welch certainly ran the gamut of human experience, but I believe in this picture one can fully realize his true self, which is someone who had a passion for family, and adventure. We have had countless journeys blazing our own trails through the Blue Ridge Mountains, canoeing in a flooded creek after a rainstorm, swimming in the ocean at midnight, or sometimes, actually most the time, just sitting on a front porch nursing a drink while bantering. He had a great way of talking, and we could spend hours speaking only indirectly of the subject at hand, and if you did not know any better, it would almost seem like he was just spinning riddles, but no, he wasn't, he was in fact speaking with metaphors and abstractions, a gift that was uniquely his. He also had a peculiar way diffusing wisdom through some of his timeless sayings; sayings that I will pass down to my family, that will live on far beyond the boundaries of his time on earth. Lastly, I would like to add, although he was a social man, a man that strangers could easily be drawn to in a public setting, he also had a quiet nobility that would rise to the occasion during trying moments. I liked him because he was fun, but I respected him as well, because I knew that I could count on that nobility. Dustin, I hope you find peace, your life had great impact on mine.

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Ken Welch Posted Aug 18, 2021 at 11:25 AM

Thank you for such a beautiful remembrance of Dustin.

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Jake Posted Aug 25, 2021 at 2:50 PM

What you said is very true man. Dustin probably explored more of the Blue Ridge Mountains than anyone we know. It is definitely his home.

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Ken Welch uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

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Ken Welch uploaded photo(s)

Tuesday, August 17, 2021

He truly was a beautiful soul who changed my life at conception. I walked away from the life of a rock star to minimum wage to be his daddy. No one had a bigger impact on my life than my firstborn son Kenneth Dustin Welch. Our last selfie together was March 8th. With my two recent surgeries, it was Dustin who came down from Charlotte to be here for me to help me. He was so excited about my sailboat and we were so excited about and looking forward to going sailing with me. We both looked forward to that knowing that we would be building such a super-strong relationship busting waves together. He had been scouting places to go together. I'd been working hard on my boat thinking that he would be the one to inherit my boat one day. Everything I have done to get my boat in the water, every upgrade or stroke of the paintbrush, in my mind was for him, a gift from me to him and my grandson Miles. Something that they would always see me in long after I was gone...a gift beyond money. Now I've lost the wind in my sails. Dustin was a bit stubborn and hardheaded about some things, I don't know who he could have gotten that from. He had a car wreck a few days before. It wasn't that bad but he did bang his head and broke his nose. He refused to go to the doctor and an urgent-care office was within walking distance from where he lived. He died peacefully in his sleep from a blood clot. I was having a very loving relationship with my son. With my recent hospitalizations, it hit him that his daddy was getting old. He called me every day, and we ended every call with "I love you". Nothing has ever been this difficult. I've found it hard to breathe much less to respond here. I won't be very active and I apologize in advance if I don't respond. The outpouring of love and condolence has been noticed and much appreciated. He told me only recently..." you know I'll be the one taking care of you when you get old" and I knew that he meant every word. I could go on and on about my son I loved so much and will never get over the emptiness my heart is feeling. Dustin gave us all an incredible gift in his son Miles Welch. One of the finest human beings that I've ever had the pleasure to know who has such a promising future that Dustin lived his life for. Dustin's actions and dedication to his son Miles was inspiring. I wasn't half the father that he was to Miles. As a child, he was my best buddy and had a personality that couldn't be ignored. He was like me in so many ways in pushing life to its limits with gusto. The loss of a child is the hardest thing I've ever faced. I will get through this. The words that are ringing in my head from a song from an artist that I have known since just before my son was born, and who I took my son to meet once and I'll end this with those words and the struggle to live on..."Oh yeah life goes on, long after the thrill of living is gone". My thrill has gone.

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The family of Dustin Welch uploaded a photo

Monday, August 16, 2021

Dustin Welch

1980 - 2021

Plant a tree in memory of Dustin

Visitation

Celebration of Life

Dustin Welch

1980 - 2021

Plant a tree in memory of Dustin

Visitation

Celebration of Life

​ (704) 218-9955

(704) 218-9955