Lee Welch, former Yuba City mayor, dies at 89

Robert Summa, Appeal-Democrat, Marysville, Calif.
·2 min read

Mar. 28—Just two days shy of his 90th birthday, former Yuba City Councilman and Mayor Lee Welch passed away on March 18.

According to his obituary, Welch, of Fairview, Texas, died after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

Prior to his time as a Yuba City official, Welch served 20 years in the U.S. Air Force. During that time, he was part of the Gemini 2 manned space program, his family said.

"This was the second uncrewed Gemini test mission, consisting of a sub-orbital ballistic flight and reentry with the primary objectives being to demonstrate the adequacy of the spacecraft reentry module's heat protection during a maximum heating rate return, the structural integrity of the spacecraft, and the performance of spacecraft systems," according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. "Secondary objectives included obtaining test results on communications, cryogenics, fuel cell and reactant supply system, and further qualification of the launch vehicle."

Welch also had assignments in Japan and Thailand before ultimately finishing his Air Force career working with the Lockheed SR-71 "Blackbird" at Beale Air Force Base, his family said.

Following his time in the Air Force, Welch began his new career in real estate.

Continuing his passion for service, Welch was later appointed to the Yuba City Planning Commission, where he served for 12 years. He would then go on to be elected to the Yuba City City Council, where he served two of his eight years as mayor, his family said.

"It was a true joy to serve the city and he reveled in the various accomplishments that he helped facilitate during that time," his obituary states. "He loved being with people and being mayor was a dream come true. The city fountain, the revitalization of Plumas Street, the expansion of Highway 99, and all of the work that went into passing the school bond for a second high school, were his passions. He loved representing the city during the Japanese Sister City visitations."

In 2002, Welch lost his reelection bid for the council, according to Appeal archives.

Welch is survived by his wife of 48 years, Juley Welch; four daughters, Wendy Platukas, Sue Bancroft, Dicey Sechler, and Sherry Welch; nine grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren.

A Celebration of Life will be held in the Yuba City area at a later date, the family said.