Ricky Thomas Welch, 61, of Dalton, Georgia passed away Sunday, December 18, 2016 at Hamilton Medical Center. Ricky was born February 7, 1955 in Dalton. Ricky loved fishing, his birds Tweety and Tweety Bird, his many many fish, his dogs Pepper and Diamond, and listening to classic rock. He was preceded in death by his father, Thomas Eugene Welch; brother, Ed Ball; sister, Linda Pierce; brother, Ronnie Welch; and brother, Allen Welch. He is survived by his loving wife of 33 years, Regina Welch; son & daughter-in-law, Steve and Lisa Welch of Marietta, GA; grandsons, River and Canyon Welch of Marietta, GA; mother, Sally Welch (Ralston) of Dalton; sister & brother-in-law, Dianne and Trammell Caldwell of Dalton; sister, Charlotte Scott of Manchester, TN; brother & sister-in-law, Bobby and Cynthia Welch of Chatsworth; sister & brother-in-law, Elizabeth and Joe Lawless of Dalton; brother, Danny Ball of Rocky Face; sister-in-law, Louise Ball of Dalton; brother & sister-in-law, Keith and Jackie Reed; and many nieces and nephews. A special thanks to the staff of Hamilton Medical Center SICU for their special care. A funeral service to celebrate the life of Ricky Thomas Welch will be held at 1:00 PM Wednesday, December 21, 2016 at the chapel of Dalton Funeral Home with Brother Danny Cochran officiating. Interment will be at United Memorial Gardens. The family will be receiving friends for visitation from 5-8 PM Tuesday evening. In lieu of flowers the family request that donations be made to Ricky's wife. Arrangements have been entrusted to independently owned and operated Dalton Funeral Home, 620 S. Glenwood Ave. Dalton, GA; 706-529-5371.