Dr. James D. Welker, 84, of Huntsville, Alabama, died Tuesday, November 27, 2012, in Huntsville. Graveside services at noon at the cemetery with Dr. Herbert Thomas officiating. Burial will follow the service.

He grew up in Olney and served with the U.S. Marine Corps from 1950-1956. He taught high school biology and coached for a number of years in the Chicago area until he became a charter instructor in Biology at the newly organized Olney Community College in 1963. After receiving his doctorate at Indiana University in 1969, he taught at University of Alabama in the Department of Education until his retirement in 1992. During his tenure with the university, he served as Director of the Junior Science Academy of the State of Alabama

He served with the Golden K Kiwanis Club after retirement, and was an avid gardener and landscaper. He was an active member of Circlewood Baptist Church in Tuscaloosa, Ala., and at the time of his death, was a member of Whitesburg Baptist Church in Huntsville, Ala

Dr. Welker is survived by his spouse, Barbara Welker, of Huntsville; daughter, Kathleen Welker, of Tuscaloosa; sons, Dr. Weston Welker and his wife, Marci, of Huntsville, and Vance Welker and his wife, Trina, of Shelbyville, KY; stepson, James Becton, of Tuscaloosa; brother, Wildon Welker, of Olney, Ill.; grandchildren, Joshua Welker, of Los Angeles, CA, J. Matthew Welker and his wife, Zena, of Los Angeles, CA, Molly Welker, of Huntsville, Jeff Tucker, of Denver, CO, and Daniel Welker, of Shelbyville, KY; and great-grandchild, Camden Welker, of Los Angeles, CA.

He was preceded in death by his father, Harry Welker, and mother, Mary Jane von Almen.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) ~ November 28, 2012