Born: June 22, 1966, in Redwood City, CA.

Died: Jan. 20, 2009, at his Modesto home.

J.R. Welch was an artist – a talented musician who was able to express himself in a number of different media. His palette might hold paint one day, ink on another and chords and scales on the next.

He also was a skilled technician and craftsman, devoted to the care and nurturing of musical instruments of any kind.

By day, J.R. served as manager of Gottschalk Music Center Instrument Repair Center. He had repaired musical instruments for more than 25 years. Previously, the Repair Center had been owned and operated by Richard Squires, J.R.'s mentor.

By night, J.R. made music, when he wasn't enjoying a baseball game. Go Giants! He performed in a wide array of community-based musical groups. He was equally at home playing jazz with Ernie Bucio's Little Big Band and the Barkin' Dog Jazz Band – he was Bucio's regular bass player in those groups -- or show tunes and marching music with MoBand (The Modesto Band of Stanislaus County).

Though J.R. had been seriously ill with cancer for several years, his passing Tuesday night still came as a shock to his family and many friends.

He is survived by his wife, Dolores Welch, and mother, JoAnna Welch, both of Modesto; father- and mother-in-law, Joe and Lillian Ramirez; sisters-in law, Dot Ramirez, Linda Rainey and Brenda Ellsworth; brothers-in-law, Joey Ramirez and Kevin Ellsworth; nephews, Travis Ellsworth and Zachary Rainey and nieces, Jessica Ellsworth and Brittani Mortan.

He will be missed by all of us.

But the incredible courage and quiet strength he showed in the face of a vicious illness will never leave us – nor will his smile, quick wit and that steady bass line many of us had come to depend upon.

He loved the outdoors – the beach; the mountains; biking; hiking. He had a special place in his heart for animals, all kinds of animals.

And Disneyland was a sort of Mecca for J.R., he would propose to his wife, Dolores, there; the “happiest place on earth”.

Music took center stage in his life, however. He just couldn't seem to get enough.

In addition to the Bucio groups and Mo Band, J.R. also performed regularly (as bassist) with the New Horizons Jazz Band, the Gottschalk Concert Band and various other Gottschalk Music Center ensembles, as well as the Modesto Junior College Community Band and Hughson barn band.

J.R. began his musical journey at an early age. His first instrument was the trumpet. He also became proficient playing the French Horn, tuba, baritone and trombone, as well as the saxophone. He even took bagpipes lessons for a time.

As a result, J.R. became a musical “jack of all trades”, playing whatever instrument was most needed by any given musical ensemble at any given time.

Mr. “Dependable”, that was J.R. He always could be counted upon to make the necessary repairs to an instrument, or play the difficult passage, whenever and wherever it was needed. He delivered.

Still, he always made time for others. He was always ready to offer a helping hand and words of encouragement.

Obituary by Mike Mooney

Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber

MEM.com Everlasting Memorial for J.R. Welch