Long-time Anderson businessman Wesley Gerald Welborn, Sr., 79, of 1604 North Boulevard, died Saturday, August 17, 2013 at his residence.
Born January 24, 1934 in Anderson County, he was the son of the late Wesley Keys Welborn and Mamie Griffin
Welborn Abernathy. He was a graduate of Anderson Boy's High School, attended The Citadel, and was a graduate of the U.S. Army War College. He served in the SC National Guard, retiring as a Major. Gerald was owner of Welborn Tire Service, dba Welborn Truck Service and was former owner of Kawasaki of Anderson. He was a member of the SC Tire Dealers and Retreaders Association, where he had served as President.
Gerald bred, trained, and showed Tennessee Walking Horses, served as a steward for the Tennessee
Walking Horse Association and held several offices in the association. He loved basketball, played basketball in high school, coached girls basketball at St. John's United Methodist Church, and the Anderson YMCA. He also served as a basketball official in the SC High School League for several years. He was a member of IPTAY and enjoyed attending Clemson Football and basketball games.
He was a Charter Member of the Electric City Sertoma Club and was currently a member of the Anderson Lions Club where he was Past President, District Governor, and a recipient of the Melvin Jones Award. He was an active member of St. John's United Methodist Church where he had served on many committees and as an usher.
Survivors include his wife, Dr. Georgia Lou Huff Welborn of the home; three sons, Wes Welborn and wife, Lisa; Reid Welborn and wife, Kristal; and Joey Welborn and wife, Tara; one daughter, Deedy Welborn Francis, all of Anderson; two stepsons, Jay Bannister and wife, Suzie and George Bannister; grandchildren, Jason Welborn and wife, Kelin of Cape Elizabeth, Maine: Zachary Welborn; Sara Welborn Crews and husband, Josh; Drew Welborn; Ivey Welborn; Austin Welborn; Anna Reid Welborn; Blakely Francis; Evan Francis; Lydia Francis; Turner, Caroline, and Hannah Welborn (children of David Welborn), all of Anderson; step grandchildren, Julian and Davis Bannister, Joseph and Spencer Bannister; great grandchildren, Amelia Welborn, Bryce Crews, Kaylin Crews, and two on the way; brother, John Welborn and wife, Peggy of Rome, GA; sister, Barbara Welborn Ellison and husband, Fred of St. Johns, FL; and his beloved poodle, Louie.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Winnie Reid Newell Welborn, and two sons, Tim and David Welborn.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. John's United Methodist Church conducted by Rev. Dan Batson and Pastor J. Chris Fischer. Entombment will follow in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Mausoleum with military honors provided by the Campbell Patriots Honor Guard. The body will be at the residence, 1604 North Boulevard, after 2 p.m. Sunday where the family will receive friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made the Anderson Lions Club, P.O. Box 1524, Anderson, SC 29622 or St. John's United Methodist Church, 515 South McDuffie Street, Anderson, SC 29624.
SULLIVAN-KING MORTUARY