James Thomas Welborn

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Visitation Schedule
Roller Funeral Home
Highway 5 North
Mountain Home, AR  72654
Saturday, October 24, 2020
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Service Schedule
Roller Funeral Home Chapel
Highway 5 North
Mountain Home, AR  72653
Saturday, October 24, 2020
2:00 p.m.
Memorial Contributions
Mountain Home Lion's Club
P.O. Box 58
Mountain Home, AR  72653


Mruk Center for Aging
624 Hospital Dr.
Mountain Home, AR  72653

James Thomas Welborn

of Mountain Home, AR

October 20, 2020

After a life well lived, full of treasured stories, Dr. Jim T. Welborn died peacefully at home October 20, 2020 of lymphoma.

Jim was born on May 15, 1933, in Western Grove, Arkansas, to the late Luther and Edith Welborn and grew up in nearby Harrison where he played in many football games, performed in the marching band, acted in some plays and, more often than not, caused some ruckus around town. After high school, he attended Arkansas Tech and then State Teachers (now UCA). He met his wife of 62 years, the late Helen French Welborn, on a blind date in Eureka Springs.

After they married, Jim and Helen lived in Memphis where he attended Southern College of Optometry. Discovering that building a practice in your home town is difficult, he joined the National Guard. When an opportunity to purchase an optometry practice opened in Mountain Home in 1960, he took it! He practiced on Main Street, right across from his favorite morning coffee place, The Cedar Grill, until 1972 when he built an office, along with Dr. Rosa, on Hospital Drive. He was lucky to have Betty Milum, his office administrator, at his side his entire optometric career. Jim retired from practice in 1996, but went on to volunteer his services at the Christian Clinic for 12 years.

Along the way, Jim was actively involved in the community, serving on the city council for 7 years and was part of the water and sewer commission that brought water to Mountain Home from Lake Norfork.

Most times you could find Jim spending time with his family on the lake, fishing with friends and family, bowling, or hunting for quail or ducks with his brother-in-law. He loved a good story, funny joke and good-natured teasing.

Jim was also proud of his 60-year membership in Lions Club during which he received the Lion of the Year, Dalstrom and Melvin Jones Fellowship awards. He served in many roles, including president from 1996-1997. Jim was a self-taught computer programmer and wrote programs for his office, but he was proudest of the program he wrote for the Lions Club auction bringing them out of the chalkboard era and into the computer age. The Lions Club used his program for 16 years.

Jim considered his family his greatest success. Surviving Jim are his daughters Laura and Ron Proctor of Flippin; Mary Patton of Tulsa, OK; and Saundra and Jeff Rueppel of Atlanta, GA; his grandchildren Jennifer (Beau) Barnes, Zach (Rachel) Proctor, Sarah (Cassie) Patton and Catherine and Sydney Rueppel; and great-grandchildren Ruby and Gavin Barnes and Holland Proctor. He was predeceased by his wife, parents, sister Ruth Ann Knight and brother, Robert Welborn.

The family would like to thank his Home Instead caregivers for the years of companionship; his helpful neighbors on Richwood Dr.; Dr. Paden, his physician; and the attentive and caring Hospice Staff at the end.

In lieu of flowers, consider charitable donations to the Mountain Home Lions Club at PO Box 58 Mountain Home AR 72654 or the Baxter Regional Hospital Foundation for the Mruk Center for Aging at 624 Hospital Dr. Mountain Home, AR 72653.

A visitation will be held on Saturday, October 24, from 1:00-2:00 p.m., at Roller Funeral Home with a service, officiated by Rev. Randy Ludwig to follow at 2:00. Interment will be private.

Due to COVID-19, we are complying with the Arkansas Department of Health guidelines and limiting indoor funeral and visitation attendance to 100 people at one time. All attendees must provide and wear their own face masks before entering.


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16 Condolence(s)
Lynn Andrews
Tillsonburg, OK
Liked
Wednesday, October 28, 2020

i sure goin to miss my buddy , he was a good trivia player on mirc, I know he went through alot of good times and bad, he is where he wants to be now for sure, i will never forget you , Beach Baby,, Lots of Hugs. i am from Ontario Canada.

Brenda Bickford (Chaffee)
Hot Springs, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Laura, was so sorry to hear of your daddy’s passing. He was an amazing man. Keeping you and sisters in prayer. Love and Blessings. Brenda

Harvey & Brenda Stuckey
Sheridan, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 28, 2020

Laura and family, we are so sorry to hear about the passing of your Dad. Our prayers for you and your family.

Lyda Reynolds
Mountain Home, AR
Liked
Sunday, October 25, 2020

Your dad was a friend both as our optometrist and as a loved church family member. We played "Draw Something" for months and months; his stick men made me smile! I send my love and sympathy to all of you.

Sam & Karen Clark
Mountain Home, AR
Liked
Saturday, October 24, 2020

Condolences to the girls @ this time. Your Mother & Dad were friends of ours for many years. May they Rest In Peace.

Michelle Talburt
Mountain Home, AR
Liked
Saturday, October 24, 2020

So sorry to hear this news but take comfort That he is reunited with Mrs Helen. Keeping Laura, Mary and Saundra in my thoughts and prayers.

Marlon and Carol Neher
Flippin, AR
Liked
Friday, October 23, 2020

Praying the family finds comfort in the Lord through this time of loss.
"The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18

Joan Young
Mountain Home, AR
Liked
Thursday, October 22, 2020

So sorry to hear of doc's passing. I know he will be glad to be reunited with Helen. He was such a pleasure to know.

Calvin Czeschin
Mountain Home, AR
Liked
Thursday, October 22, 2020

Such a good friend, you will be missed, enjoyed the national guard, the lake, and being a good neighbor. Sissy and my love to the girls.

Sheila Dunne
Flippin, AR
Liked
Thursday, October 22, 2020

I was lucky enough to meet both Jim and Helen as patients in the hearing Health Office I worked in for many years. They were both very kind and I’m hanging on to the thought of them being reunited.

My condolences to their family.

Karen matlock
Mountain home, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Mr Jim I enjoyed watching YOUR RAZORBACKS playing and winning one last time for you, you had a wonderful sense of humor, RIP Mr. JIM I WILL DEFINITLY miss you, you will be missed,, prayers and thoughts to his daughters, and grandkids,

Joyce Bryant
Bolivar, MO
Liked
Wednesday, October 21, 2020

I am so sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.

Sam F. Rhoades
Mountain Home, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Long time friend from 1964. Lots of great memories from our families growing up together.
Will miss you , Jim Tom.

Mike Kuenzli
Mountain Home, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 21, 2020

Strong men group will miss you. I enjoyed your stories and great attitude!
Rest in peace Jim!

Lucille Caton
Mountain Home, AR
Liked
Wednesday, October 21, 2020

He's with Helen it was all he ever wanted for the past 5 years. R.I.P. Jim!!

Jennifer Dreyer
Clarkridge,
Liked
Tuesday, October 20, 2020

I was a caregiver for Doc for a couple of years. Loved talking with him about the history of Harrison and Mountain Home. I remember him from when I was about 8 and he put me in my first pair of glasses! He will be missed but I know he's happy to be with his Helen again. Prayers for the family.