Funeral service for Paul Orland Welker were held at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 8, in Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Chapel in Lawton, Okla. with Rev. Les Banks officiating.
Entombment followed in the Chapel of Peace Mausoleum at Sunset Memorial Gardens.
The family greeted friends from 2 until 4 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.
The service was available to be viewed by following the livestream link at www.beckerfuneral.com or by visiting the Becker-Rabon Funeral Home Facebook page.
Paul Orland Welker died Monday, Sept. 1, 2025 in Cache, Okla. at the age of 81. He was born Dec. 6, 1943 in Merryville, to Edna Rowell and Orland Welker. He lived in Reno County, Kansas until his parents divorced. His mother moved back to Merryville where Paul attended school until 1950. The family moved to DeQuincy and his mother married Ralph Williams.
Paul attended and graduated from DeQuincy High School in 1961. He was 17 when his mother granted him permission allowing him to join the army. After schooling at Fort Jackson, S.C. Paul went to Neckarsulm, Germany. There he served in the 523rd Engineer Company, making liquid fuels for the last of the Redstone missile units, the 46th FA Group. Returning to the United States, he was assigned to Fort Hood, Texas and then Fort Sill, Okla. In 1965 he went to Vietnam with the First Cavalry Airmobile. In 1966 he returned to Fort Sill and attended drill sergeant school. Paul left active duty in 1970 to become an officer with the Lawton Police Department. He served in many positions and retired as a Captain in 1993.
Having rejoined the army reserves (95th Division) in 1974 he was drill sergeant of the year in 1979. In 1980 he received a direct commission to Captain in the infantry. He attended officer advanced course at Fort Benning, Ga. Paul served in various leadership positions and retired at 75th MAC in Houston, Texas in February 1993 as a Major. He owned several service stations and AAMCO Transmission during his police career. After retirement, he served as Chief of Police in Cache, Okla. Paul had a backhoe service during this period of time.
Paul married Priscilla Rose on Dec. 31, 1968. Priscilla brought with her three girls, Susan Kay, Karen Elaine and Lucinda Carol. Married for 48 years, Priscilla preceded him in death on Sept. 18, 2016. He later married JoLanda D. “Jodi” Burch at Lake Lawtonka on June 18, 2021 and they made their home in Cache.
Paul received many military awards and was a 100% disabled veteran. He and Pat traveled extensively after their retirements.
Paul was a graduate of Cameron University and a member of the Alumni Association. Motorhome travel carried him to many states and he served as president of the Foretravel Motorcade Club. He was also a member of Good Sams and Family Motorcoach Association. Paul served as president of the Fraternal Order of Police several times. He was also a member of the DAV, American Legion and the VFW as well as a perpetual member of Mt. Scott Masonic Lodge #540. He was a Scottish Rite Mason and an India Temple Shriner.
He is survived by his wife, three daughters, Susan Coleman, Karen Brenner and Lucinda Gillock; a son and daughter-in-law, Jimmy and KaLeigh Welch; three grandsons, one granddaughter, two great-granddaughters, three great-grandsons and one great-great-granddaughter as well as his brother, Ricky Williams.
His parents, in-laws, two brothers and two sisters preceded him in death.
An online guest book, sympathy cards, and live streaming of services are available on www.beckerfuneral.com.
(Paid Memorial)
