Daniel Emmett Welker

10/04/1960 — 11/10/2019

From Pasco, WA | Born in Richland, WA

Memorial Service

Starts:
Sat, November 16, 2019, 2:00 pm
Location:
Events at Sunset
915 Bypass Highway

Richland, WA 99352

Daniel Emmett Welker

Daniel Emmett Welker

Dan was born Oct. 4, 1960 to, Donald Emmett Welker and Marjorie Kay Welker in Richland, WA. He grew up camping and enjoying the outdoors at a young age. His dad retired early, with a medical disability and had the opportunity to take his family all over the Northwest and beyond. He loves the outdoors and the time he spent with his parents and his 3 siblings, Craig, Cindy, and Kim.

He learned at a young age how to care for a home and do maintenance on vehicles.  He took great pride in all he did and was patient in finding the answer to just about anything! Measure twice, cut once. He had a very strong work ethic and spent hours grooming and caring for everything in his path.

In 1986 he met, the love of his life, Shannon Lomon. They married in the spring of 1988. Their wedding was an event nobody who attended would ever forget. They were blessed with 2 children, Rylan in 1990 and Shaylee in 1992. With all the challenges he faced, he always put them first.

He was loyal and loving to his family and friends and would be there for anything they ever needed, at any cost!

They enjoyed camping, boating and four wheeling, with many trips to the Oregon coast and around the Northwest.  He loved, fishing and hanging by the pool at Shannon’s parents, Butch and Lou’s in the summer. Fall was for football and Sundays with family, usually involving cocktails and lots of laughs. He was always cracking everyone up with his funny sense of humor and witty personality, but quiet and calm when he needed to listen. Careful to notice someone else that needed to take the floor. Dan was a self-taught handyman; he could do just about anything and was always willing to help.

He enjoyed working on his 70, Chevy pickup, and took great pride in every detail. He never took it out unless it was clean and always got a comment from a stranger on how beautiful it was. He always enjoyed a game of darts in the garage! Anything to bring family and friends together. His space in the garage was one, any man would dream of. He didn’t really need a beautiful home, just a garage and a TV.

His career started with WOOPS that later becoming Energy Northwest, as a janitor at 18. He went from there to a laborer for many years. He had a great fascination for the nuclear industry and enjoyed all history of the Manhattan Project. He spent endless hours, reading and learning about every aspect of the industry, as well as WWII and other historical knowledge.

He went to a training job in early 90’s where he mastered the craft of public speaking and training people. He took multiple trips to Texas and learned to teach the fire brigade for the site. He enjoyed the challenge and worked hard to make sure everyone was safe. He was one of the best at teaching and making things fun for his students, comparing one thing to another, so that someone might relate to it better.

In 2001, he had an opportunity to go into business with his brother Craig, who was a very successful business leader in the computer industry. So he moved his family to Coeur D’Alene, ID.  He worked with Craig on multiple projects until Craig’s unexpected death in 2003 at the age of 47.

In 2005, he moved back to Richland and went to work at Franklin County Emergency Management, where his knowledge of nuclear power and chemical waste served him well.

In 2010, he went to Washington Closure, Hanford and then to Secom.  He had many responsibilities there and served them well with his knowledge of the chemical waste disposal and radioactive material. He could always calm a heated situation with his patience and strong character. He also spent many hours working and remodeling every home they lived in and moving 9 times in their 31 years of marriage. As well as working on remodeling Shannon’s business in the uptown.

Dan is survived by his wife, Shannon, son Rylan and his partner Sam, daughter Shaylee, granddaughter, Tana, his sisters Kim and husband, Larry Thomas, Cindy and husband, Lanny Hayes, and Tom Welker. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews; Ray and Jared Thomas, KayLynn Meja, Matthew Thomas, Michael Thomas and Chris Thomas and their families.

Dan was preceded in death by his father, Donald Welker and mother Marjorie Watts, brothers Craig Welker and Donald Cox.

He is irreplaceable part of so many lives and will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service to honor Dan has been set for Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 2pm at Events at Sunset in Richland, WA with a reception to follow.

Guestbook for

Daniel Emmett Welker

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  • Shannon,
    very sorry to hear that Dan had passed, this is so unexpected, hope your family is helping you cope with this tragic event.

    Joe Escamillol
    November 16, 2019
    Richland, WA
  • Shannon & Family
    So sorry to hear about Dan thinking of you and your family
    May the arms of the Lord comfort you and your family
    in this time of sorrow . My thoughts and prayers are with you
    and know that the love of all your friends are with you always.

    God Bless
    Love Natalie Guzman

    Natalie Guzman
    November 16, 2019
    Pasco, WA.
  • Another amazing person gone too soon. Dan, I’ve spent more time with you in the last 10 years than I have with my own family. You were a constant in a world of change and chaos. I always knew I could count on you to step up to any challenge, solve any problem, be there for me when I was having a bad day, greet me everyday with a smile and your ability to tell a story or a perfect joke is legendary. “Camp Happy” will never be the same but I’m blessed to have had you in my life and your influence will be with me always. Rest well up there my brother….. and I Reckon I’ll take the soup!!!!!

    Eric Kinnunen
    November 15, 2019
    Richland
  • I admired, respected, and learned so much from Dan. Working with and seeing Dan on and off for almost 10 years, there wasn’t a time where he didn’t make someones day better. Always quick with a helping hand, kind word or a story and humor that resulted in joy for all involved, Dan truly had an impact…. you will be missed my friend, rest in peace

    Joe Curcio
    November 15, 2019
    Jackson Sc
  • “Dan-the-Man”!! It was a pleasure working with him at WTP (Bechtel~AECOM). He definitely had a gift of quick wit and humor, it was always a pleasant experience going around the plant systems and procedures. He’ll be sorely missed. RIP good friend. ~Marty Muniz

    Marty Muniz
    November 15, 2019
    Pasco WA
  • I met Dan while working at Franklin County Emergency management. He was fun, always interesting and made the work day go by faster. He was taken way to soon and will be missed by all who knew him. I am sad for Shannon and family.
    Don and Linda

    Don Mcwhorter
    November 15, 2019
    Pasco
  • Dan and Shannon were great neighbors. I will miss his smiling face and superb wit. Rest in peace buddy you were taken way too soon. God must have plans for you

    Lon
    November 14, 2019
    Yuma, Az
  • Dan was the best friend I’ve ever known.

    I came to Washington in 2011 and was asked to provide oversight and mentoring to the project he was managing. It took me all of one day observing his techniques, his matter-of-fact approach, and his magnetic personality, it was clear that Dan would be the mentor, I his subject.

    Although I will be unable to attend Dan’s service due to previous unchangeable obligations, I will carry Dan’s memory with me forever.

    Thank you Dan, for every memory, every lesson, and, most important every roar of laughter you brought into my life.

    KKevin
    November 14, 2019
    Richla
  • I have a flood of so many fond memories of family get- togethers in Richland. You were such a gentle soul. Always up for exploring and discovering new vistas. My love goes out to Shanon and family.

    Kenny Wright
    November 14, 2019
    Richland
  • So saddened to learn of this. Dan was a good guy and will be missed by all who knew him. My sincere condolences to all of Dan’s family.

    Paul Ziemer
    November 14, 2019
    Richland, WA
  • So many wonderful memories of days with Dan and Shannon, Kim and Larry. Loved the smile, the laugh, great sense of humor, and the joy he had for his family. Sending strength, prayers, and love.

    Terr
    November 14, 2019
    Terrie
  • Prayers and hugs to your family. He will be missed. He had that smile when u walked in any room.
    Love Patty and Duard morrell

    Patty and duardmorrelll
    November 14, 2019
    Richland wa
  • So many good memories of Dan at work and play! I’ll bet he’s gonna have the best garage heaven ever saw. My deepest condolences to Shannon and family.

    Charlie McDonald
    November 14, 2019
    California
  • RIP old friend . Our condolences to Shannon and family.

    Steve Baker
    November 13, 2019
    Kennewick
  • I will remember Dan as a kind, gentle soul who loved his wife dearly, and a very serious Seahawk fan!! You will be missed by many.

    Debi Johnson
    November 13, 2019
    Debijohn57@gmail.com
  • So sorry for your loss. Dan was a great guy and very funny. What a beautiful tribute to his life!

    Sharon Bond/Feser
    November 13, 2019
    Kennewick
  • I had the privilege to work with Dan in training with the fire brigade. I and others will miss him greatly!

    John Cooke
    November 13, 2019
    j4tcooke3706@yahoo.com
  • Really enjoyed working with Dan. His sense of humor cut through even the worst days at work. He will be missed.

    Derek White
    November 13, 2019
    Richland, WA
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