Raymond Lee Welch, "Ray", aged 79, of Austin, Texas, passed away February 6, 2023, at Ascension Seton Medical Center Hays in Kyle, Texas. Ray was born in Emporia, Kansas on November 2, 1943, to Raymond Ward Welch and Irene Fooshee Welch.

Ray graduated from Augusta High School in Augusta, Kansas in 1961 where he met his high school sweetheart, Nancy Wheeler. Ray and Nancy were married in 1964 while he was completing a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry at Emporia State University. He obtained his doctorate in Organic Chemistry from Iowa State University in 1969. He and Nancy then moved to Wilmington, Delaware, where he was a research chemist for Hercules Chemical Company. Ray's daughters, Lara and Janna, were born in Wilmington, where Ray and Nancy stayed to raise their family.

In the 1980's, Ray and several colleagues bought out the magnetic coatings division of Hercules to create Magnox, Inc. Ray and Nancy moved to Radford, Virginia where they lived for 15 years. This transition gave Ray the opportunity to travel the world as a technical specialist for the company. Nancy was able to travel with him on these trips annually and he even brought the girls with him once to explore Japan, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

After spending 25 years in the chemical industry, Ray retired and decided to pursue a Masters Degree in Business Administration from Radford University where he finished the degree and eventually became an adjunct professor. Ray and Nancy spent the next two decades travelling for pleasure and exploring 6 continents. Ray loved cars and they additionally took a 13,000 mile car trip through the western USA and Canada in his beloved blue Porsche Boxster. Ray and Nancy eventually retired to Sun City, Texas, where they made new friends, enjoyed the hiking club, playing poker, making beer, playing golf, and spending time with their grandchildren.

Ray is survived by his wife of 58 years, Nancy, of Austin, Texas, his brother, Wesley Welch of Leawood, Kansas, daughters Lara Borne (Stephen) of Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, and Janna Welch Warner (Benjamin) of Austin, Texas, grandchildren, Brendan, Kevin and Natalie Borne and Isaac and Nathaniel Warner, and nephews and Cole and Matthew Welch and niece Meghan Dahl.

A Celebration of Ray's Life will be Sunday, March 5th, 2023 at 3pm at The Oaks at Legacy Hills at 301 Del Webb Boulevard, Sun City, Texas.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to the Michael J Fox Foundation or your local charity of choice.