TOPSHAM — Jim Welch, 72, of Topsham, died at Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick on Sunday night, Dec. 15, 2013, surrounded by his loved ones.

He was born in Lewiston on Nov. 27, 1941, son of George Welch and Gerald and Marjorie Bryant.

Jim attended Paris High School graduating in 1959, entered the U.S. Air Force that same year and served eight years. In 1963, Jim married Jane Bean and they had one daughter, Tammy. In 1969, Jim started his career with the Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife as a district Game Warden and later as a Warden Pilot, which he loved. He retired in 1990 and joined L.L. Bean in Corporate Security, where he worked for another 12 years.

Jim loved the outdoors and spent a great deal of time hunting and fishing. Other interests included gardening, fly tying, RV’ing, winters in Florida and he especially loved spending time with his grandson Kody.

Outside of his professional career, Jim and his wife operated an apple orchard business from their property in Topsham. The business centered around selling apples, hand-pressed cider, cheese and other farm stand products to customers from all over.

Jim is survived by his wife Jane, his daughter, Tammy and her husband Todd Noyes and their son Kody James of Topsham. He is also survived by his brother Stan and his wife Aleta Bryant, nephews, Alan and Brian and nieces Karen and Lisa, all of South Paris.

Jim was predeceased by his parents, his sister Gail Pulsifer and his father-inlaw, Herman Bean. Another important person in his life was his mother-in-law, Ruth Bean.

Visiting hours will be held from 4 to 6 p.m. with a Masonic service at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 19, 2013, at Brackett Funeral Home, 29 Federal St., Brunswick. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 20 at the funeral home with Reverend Ron McLaughlin officiating. Spring interment will be in Riverside Annex Cemetery, South Paris.

Should friends desire, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, 122 State St., Augusta, ME 04330.