Peck, Michigan – The tight-knit village of Peck, Michigan, is reeling from the sudden and heartbreaking loss of James Welch, a deeply respected athletic director, coach, and mentor at Peck Community Schools. School officials confirmed that Welch passed away unexpectedly this week due to an unforeseen medical circumstance.
In a public statement, the district described Welch as “a father figure for many students,” announcing that classes would be canceled on Thursday, November 7, to give the school community time to grieve. “Our school and entire community is suffering an incredible loss today,” the statement read. “Please keep his wife, Shane, son, Grady, and everyone who loved him in your thoughts and prayers as we navigate this tragedy.”
Support staff were made available for students seeking counseling, reflecting how deeply Welch’s influence reached across generations in the small Sanilac County town.
Friends and former colleagues echoed the school’s grief. Alfonso Myers Gallardo, who grew up alongside Welch, shared a moving tribute online, recalling their years together in Michigan and the mentor-like role Welch played in his life. “James was an enormous example for me—his discipline, faith, love for sports, and sense of brotherhood shaped my life forever,” Gallardo wrote. “He was a game changer for everyone who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Gallardo shared a letter Welch had written to him two decades ago—a poignant reflection that now feels prophetic:
“Hold on to your memories; sometimes they are all we have. They tell the stories of our lives—good and bad—and in time they make up who we are as a person.”
Those words capture much of what the community is feeling now: grief mixed with gratitude for a man who gave his best to every student and friend he encountered.
Welch’s legacy extends far beyond the playing field. Colleagues describe him as “a genuine, kind friend to everyone,” a sentiment echoed in hundreds of online tributes and condolence messages flooding community pages.
In small towns like Peck—home to just a few hundred residents—leaders like James Welch form the heart of daily life. His loss is not just the passing of a teacher or coach, but of a mentor whose values of service, humility, and love for others will continue to guide the students and families he inspired.
