Samuel Richard Welch

Samuel “Richard” Welch was born on April 8th, 1948, to Ora and Laura Welch in Bristow, Oklahoma. Richard passed away on April 20th, 2026 in Tulsa. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from April 1965 to April 1969. As a Boatswain’s Mate, he attended Assault Boat Coxswain School and received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with device. 

Richard was a devoted family man. He met the love of his life, Marie Barnett, in 2008, and became a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather to her family. 

Richard made his living as a drywaller for 20 years until he became disabled in 2016. He enjoyed the outdoors, especially fishing, boating and camping. He loved going out to dance with Marie and dinners with the family. Richard was preceded in death by his parents, Ora and Laura Welch; his brothers, Joe and Willard Welch; and his sister, Noni. He is survived by his beloved Marie Barnett of Chouteau; his daughters, Cynthia McConnell and Shannon Welch, of California; Melia Morton of Owasso Oklahoma Sons Paul and Amanda Barnett of Inola, Oklahoma; Kenneth and Michelle Barnett of Chouteau, Oklahoma; 8 grandchildren; 17 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, and friends.

A graveside service with Military Honors will be held at Fort Gibson National Cemetery in Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, at 2:30 p.m., Thursday, May 7, 2026. To leave a personal message, please visit his guestbook at www.shipmansfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Shipman's Funeral & Cremation Service of Pryor.