Arlen Welch

Arlen Kent Welch unexpectedly left this life on October 27, 2023, doing what he loved: hunting ducks. He passed away in good spirits, having just returned from weeks of elk and deer hunting with family.

Arlen was born on June 19, 1952 to Delmo and Carma Welch in Park City, Utah. He was the second of four brothers. They spent countless hours in the mountains of Park City and surrounding areas, developing a passion for the boundless wilderness.

On August 22, 1974 Arlen married the love of his life, Deanna Lynn Martinez. They had four children: Kodi, Kylee, Kashlee and Karson, as well as 18 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren.

Arlen graduated from Park City High School in 1970, where he was an outstanding athlete. He excelled at basketball, football, and a variety of other sports.

Arlen’s love of cars and natural mechanical aptitude led to a life-long career in the mechanical trades. He was a plumber by trade, and retired as a Correctional Officer/Boiler Operator from the State of Utah. He gained experience that would serve him and his family throughout his life from working in the Park City Mines, at Street’s Conoco in Park City and at Ken Garff Oldsmobile as an auto mechanic. He was a master craftsman and could literally fix anything.

Arlen was an avid hunter, fisherman, and consumer of pistachios. Some of his hobbies included training bird dogs, shooting sporting clays with his wife, going on cruises with his family and knife making. He gifted many knives to family and friends. He spent many summers camping with family in the Uintas and hunting deer and elk, but his real passion was hunting waterfowl in Utah’s vast wetlands.

Arlen’s love of hunting was surpassed only by his true love for his family - especially his grandkids. They will miss their Papa. Each one held a special place in his heart. He spent time watching them play sports, attending dance recitals, and teaching them to shoot, fish, and drive the wheelers. He loved camping with them and just spending time together.

Our beloved husband, father, Papa, brother, uncle and friend will be deeply missed.

Arlen is survived by his wife Deanna, son Kodi (Tonia), daughter Kylee Rasmussen (Ryan), daughter Kashlee Fraser (Chad), and son Karson (Leslie) as well as 18 grandchildren: Kaden, Brylee Kristine, Deanna Kember, Brylee Anne, Braelyn, Makinlee, Aubree, Ellee, Ashtyn, Quinn, Weston, Ayden, Eva, Carly (Tim), Kyra, Dalton (Sophie) and 3 great-grandchildren, Quentin, Duncan, and Frankie. Arlen is also survived by his two brothers, Leon (Connie), Calvin (Carla).

Arlen was preceded in death by his parents Delmo and Carma Welch, brother Melvin Welch, and father and mother in-law Richard and Leona Martinez.

We would like to thank the individuals and First Responders who helped Arlen and our family on the day of his passing.

A viewing will be held at the Jenkins-Soffe Mortuary, 1007 W. South Jordan Parkway, South Jordan, UT, 84095 on Sunday, November 5, 2023 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM and funeral services will be held on Monday, November 6, 2023 beginning at 2:00 PM with a viewing at 1:00 PM. Arlen will be laid to rest at the South Jordan City Memorial Park Cemetery, 10630 South 1055 West, Jordan, Utah, 84095.