John David Welborn

SERVICES: 2:00 PM Friday, July 18, 2008, at the First Baptist Church, with Dr. Mark McClellan, officiating.BURIAL: Fairview Cemetery under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors.BIOGRAPHY: Mr. Welborn was born June 26, 1935 in Hydro, Oklahoma to Howard and Reola Welborn. He grew up in Medford, Oklahoma where he played football under the coaching of his father. He served in the U. S. Navy and then attended the University of Oklahoma and Northwestern Oklahoma University where he received his bachelor's degree. John began his coaching career in Dalhart in 1959. He married his wife of 46 years, Marci Donnell on July 18, 1962 in Artesia, New Mexico. He coached in Artesia, New Mexico from 1961-1968, was head coach from 1969-1970 in Portales, New Mexico, and was head coach in Shawnee, Oklahoma from 1971-1973 where he won the state championship in 1973. John became head coach in Pampa in 1974 through 1978, and he was principal of Baker Elementary in Pampa from 1978 until his retirement in 1992. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and Everyman's Sunday School class. John was an avid golfer. He was preceded in death by his father, Howard Welborn; a daughter, Beth Welborn, and a son, Bo Welborn.SURVIVORS: Wife: Marci Welborn of the home; 2 sons: Brian Welborn and wife Marilyn of Amarillo, and Joe Welborn and wife Autumn of Lubbock; 1 daughter: Kellye Sparkman and husband David of Shallowater; 6 grandchildren: T. J. Welborn, Bo Welborn and Zane Welborn, all of Amarillo, Zachary Sparkman and Maci Sparkman, both of Shallowater, and Chayce Welborn of Lubbock; mother: Reola Welborn of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 3 sisters: Cathy Welborn of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Cindy McClellan of Louisville, Kentucky, and Janet Buck of Wichita, Kansas.MEMORIALS: Odyssey Hospice, 6900 I-40 West, Suite 150, Amarillo, Texas 79106.