James Melvin Gettings-Welch Jr.

Jamie was born in Chestertown, MD,on March 14, 1972, to Jimmy and Jean Welch of Centreville. Jamie lived in Centreville his entire life with his sister, Amy Welch Johnson, and parents. He spent his time with friends and family at the family farm with Jimmy’s parents, and Jean’s parents lived close by in Grasonville. He graduated from QACHS in 1990 and from Salisbury State University in 1995 with a bachelors in Education. He immediately started teaching in the Queen Anne’s County Schools and remained there for 26 years as a favorite teacher and colleague. “Mr. Welch” is especially remembered for giving each and every student a nickname that they carried through their entire time at Grasonville Elementary. “Mr. Welch” made every single child feel special, cared for, and loved. He also made every colleague feel welcome and important. Jamie married Louisa Bennett in 1995, and they had twins, Grace and Chandler. Jamie met Richard Gettings in November of 2005 and Richard moved to Maryland to become a family in February 2006. Jamie, Louisa and Richard raised Grace and Chandler with the help of the extended families of Bennetts and Welches including Jamie’s niece and nephew, Megan and Tyler, who were friends of the children. Between the family and the community, Chandler and Grace have become spectacular human beings. Jamie was a pillar of the community from the time he was a child. He did not hold public office, but after years of working at Edwards, Ed Hammers Vet Clinic and the school system he knew many in the community. Jamie was nine when joined the Pony Express 4H Club which is still active today. He remained active in 4H even as an adult, teaching kids to ride, judging at 4H livestock shows at the county fair, and the public speaking contests to name a few. Jamie is survived by Richard Gettings, his parents, and family mentioned above. Jamie was a special man that touched so many lives in our community. His desire to help others was always evident and his charity of choice would be the Trevor Project. Please feel free to make donations in memory of Jamie to the Trevor Project. Jamie departed this life on Sunday January 3, 2021. He will be watching us to make sure we are kind to each other and guiding us through our lives without him. A visitation will be held following mandated social distancing and mandatory face coverings from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm on Monday, January 11, 2021 at the Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, P.A. in Centreville, MD. A funeral mass with limited capacity will be held at 11 am, on Tuesday, January 12, 2021, at Our Mother of Sorrows Catholic Church in Centreville, MD, with live-streaming. Burial will follow in Chesterfield Cemetery. While we are having a service in person, we would like to limit potential COVID transmission as much as possible so we are strongly encouraging everyone to instead use the live-stream. Click on the "Photo/Video" tab on his tribute page and then click on the WebCast photo or use the link below. https://www.fhnfuneralhome.com/obituaries/James-Gettings-Welch/#!/PhotosVideos

James Melvin Gettings-Welch Jr.

March 14, 1972 - January 3, 2021