DARRELL WELCH Obituary

DARRELL BUCK G. WELCH JR. Aug 20, 1945- Sept 23, 2025 Darrell G. "Buck" Welch Jr., AIA, 80, of Honolulu, HI, took his final flight unexpectedly on September 23, 2025, at Queens Hospital. Buck was born the second of four children in Midland, TX on August 20, 1945, to Darrell and Lucile Welch. His father, an Air Force colonel and World War II P38 Fighter Ace, was stationed around the world, moving the family to Honolulu when Buck was 16. He graduated from Punahou and attended the University of Texas, Austin, earning a Bachelor of Architecture in 1968. He married the former Bronwen Lemmon and they had two children. Like his father before him, Buck joined the Air Force and became a pilot in what would become four generations of aviators in the family. He served for five years, first flying the C141, and later flying the O2 "Skymaster" in Vietnam where he received the Distinguished Flying Cross as a Forward Air Controller. After leaving the Air Force, Buck and his family returned to Honolulu where he joined Architects Hawaii, a firm founded in 1946 by his father-in-law, Cyril W. Lemmon. He rose to senior partner there and also served as president of the Honolulu chapter of the AIA. He ventured out to start his own practice, partnering with Victor Weeks to form Welch and Weeks Architects, a multiple award-winning firm specializing in residential architecture reflecting a Hawaiian sense of place. Buck gave generously of his time and counsel to causes both personal and professional. He was a member of First Presbyterian Church, the Downtown Exchange Club and the Y Indian Guides. He was a founder and Board member of the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum, president of the Board of the Hawaii Food Bank and chairman for the Pacific Air Force Civilian Advisory Council. Buck was an avid golfer and was a member of O'ahu Country Club for 47 years. In 2016 he married Dr. Martha Taylor, who shared his love of golf and travel. He continued to work as an architect with Welch and Weeks and recently designed and built his dream home at the top of Tantalus. Buck was a faithful friend, a wise counselor and a wonderful storyteller. He spent many delightful days with friends and family in Kamuela, Malaekahana and Kikila, and just this summer had the trip of a lifetime golfing with his son, grandson and friends at Whistling Straits, WI. He is preceded in death by his older sister, Deanna in 2003. He is survived by his wife Martha Welch; his children, Garrett Welch (Mindy) and Jessica Soboll; his grandchildren, Lakin Welch, Malia Welch, Kailani Welch, Benjamin Soboll, Tessa Soboll, and Asher Soboll; his siblings Virginia Dameron (Mark) and John Welch (Tomi); his stepsons, Christopher Taylor and Patrick Taylor (Sarah); his former wife, Bronwen Welch; nieces, nephews and many other loving family members. He will be deeply missed by his family, friends and all who had the privilege of knowing him. A Celebration of Life honoring Buck will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, from 6-8:30pm at the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum. Donations in his memory may be made in his name to the Pearl Harbor Aviation Museum.