The Cammack Family Directors of Funerals

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Longview, TX
The Cammack Family Directors of Funerals

East Texas’ Exclusive Life Celebration Provider In 1914, when times became too difficult economically in Alexander City, Alabama to support his family, Mr. W. M.

Welch sent his seventeen-year-old son, O. Thomas Welch, on the train to Kerens, Texas to see if that small town was a good choice for the family to resettle. While in route to Kerens, the train stopped in a tiny rural town in East Texas called Longview. O. Thomas Welch stepped off the train to stretch his legs and in his wanderings through the streets of Longview, he was so impressed with the friendliness of the people he encountered. He wired home to his father that he had found the perfect town to live, and it was Longview! By the time the family arrived in Longview, W.M. Welch already had twenty-five years of experience in the undertaking business. He had worked as a funeral director and embalmer in Alabama since 1889. In order to provide for his young family, he and his son, Thomas established Welch Hardware and Undertaking Company in a building on Methvin Street across from the old courthouse, and so began the Welch Family’s long and dedicated service history in East Texas. In 1919, Thomas Welch became the first licensed embalmer in Gregg County, thus bringing a higher standard of funeral professionalism to the community. In 1928, when electricity became widespread, Mr. Welch added an assortment of General Electric appliances to his hardware store. In 1930, Mr. W.M. Welch died leaving Thomas to oversee the business. Soon after his father’s death, Thomas Welch split the businesses, claimed the name Welch Funeral Home, and moved the funeral division of the family business to a new location at the corner of southeast Whaley and north Fredonia streets where the Petroleum Building currently stands. Unfortunately, in December of 1937, just before Christmas, there was a devastating fire at the hardware store and the building was completely destroyed. Two years after the fire, Mr. Welch decided to withdraw from the hardware business, but keep his General Electric franchise and open a store exclusively for electric appliances on the southeast corner of south Fredonia and east Cotton streets. Also in 1939, he built Welch Funeral Home, a stately colonial building located at 210 South Green Street. During the course of their marriage, Mr. Welch’s wife, Alta Rita, contributed greatly to the success of the businesses through her many affiliations with church and civic organizations. Mrs. Welch, a woman of great charm and talent, served as a leader of distinction, always reflecting favorably on their businesses. Thomas Welch remained active in the funeral services and insurance business through church, community and state associations until his premature death in 1953 at the age of fifty-five. Alta Rita Welch, continued to be an asset to the family businesses until her death in 1984. Following the death of his father, the torch passed to another generation of the Welch family, and O. Thomas Welch, Jr. assumed management of the family businesses. Thomas remained devoted to the same Welch tradition as his father and grandfather before him. In 1958, William Brewster Welch, Thomas’ younger brother, joined the family firm and with his assistance, Thomas built a new funeral chapel, in 1966. Brewster remained a vital partner with his brother in the family businesses until his early retirement in 1988. All three children of O. Thomas Welch Jr. eventually joined the staff of Welch Funeral Home. However, Thomas Welch III and Linda Welch Walker eventually left to pursue other career paths. Mr. Welch’s younger son, William Marcus Welch, remained with the organization and represents the fourth generation to continue the family tradition of service to the families of East Texas. Marcus began his career with the funeral home in December 1975, was promoted to Funeral Director in Charge in November 1989. In early summer of 1995, The Welch Family purchased a parcel of land at the intersection of Judson Road and Pliler Precise in north Longview. In September 1998, work began on a “state of the art” new funeral facility and in 2000 the new building was dedicated. In the summer of 2016, the Welch Family chose, R Blake Cammack, a trusted longtime associate and Longview native to continue the Welch Family’s commitment to service. A graduate of Dallas Institute of Funeral Service, Blake has served Longview families since 2007. Blake Cammack together with funeral directors Tony Aguilar, Billy Smith, Brian Pilcher and Sid Montano continue to provide personalized service just as W. Welch with over 200 years of combined service.

01/08/2026

01/03/2026

We are proud to offer the finest in craftsmanship through our partnership with Amish craftsmen in Middle Tennessee.

12/25/2025

We share this story to tell you to celebrate the memories. Share in the grief either with a service, a visitation, or both. Do not do a cremation without doing something to remember the precious person who has died. Your healing matters most!

A mother collected and built a Christmas village for 42 years. One piece every Christmas since 1983, the year she married. Each tiny building has a story. The bakery is from the year her first child was born. The church is from the year she beat cancer the first time. The little school is from when her youngest started kindergarten.

She passed in September. Her husband called his kids after Thanksgiving and said he couldn't set it up alone. So they all got together and spent three days building her village. He remembered where every single piece went. They all cried as they remembered the story behind each one.

The last house she bought this past July. A tiny cabin with warm lights in the windows. She told her husband "This one's for when I'm gone. So you know I'm still home somewhere."

42 years of love glowing in one room united by the memories.

12/22/2025

Today, Russ Evans was driving by the funeral home and saw the car out of the corner of his eye and did a double take. Could the blue hearse be the one he'd built 20+ years ago? Well as a matter of fact it happens to be that car! Russ who is originally from Longview built the 1957 Cadillac Superior hearse in South Dakota. Our firm acquired the car from a funeral home in Iowa in 2023. What are the odds that car ending up in Russ' hometown 20+ years later? Small world!

12/21/2025

Don't let grief control you this holiday season!

12/20/2025

Pre planning eliminates a tremendous burden on your family. Call us today to learn more.

12/18/2025

Affordable pre planning starts today with a free, no obligation consultation. Call us today!

12/15/2025

Share memories & support the family

12/13/2025

We are excited to have won "Best Overall Lighted Entry" in the Marshall Christmas Parade!

12/12/2025

It's always good to see our good friend and funeral director, Marc Welch! While he is retired, he plays a role as the undertaker for the Gregg County Historical Museum's Dalton Days!

Address

4619 Judson Road
Longview, TX
75605

Telephone

+19036633737

Website

https://www.cammackfamily.com/

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Our Story

Since 1914, Welch Funeral Home has been supporting the community with quality funeral and cremation care. This rich history in Longview and the surrounding areas continues to be focused on unique, personalized funeral planning. Welch Funeral Home started the tradition of service more than 105 years ago, and the high commitment to excellence has been carried through the generations. At Welch Funeral Home, families can talk to a funeral director about their ideas and wishes for the event. Then, the funeral planning staff coordinates the details to create a life celebration experience to remember. Their Life Celebration Home is designed to accommodate everything a family might need during the event. Full-service funeral packages are offered, with everything from caskets to memorial services, veteran services, receptions, and more.

The team offers their undivided attention during all stages of funeral planning. Families feel the support and genuine care from the industry experts. From the moment you walk in the door, you notice the comfortable environment and personalized approach to ensure a positive experience during the event. The staff works hard to build an unmatched trust between the funeral planning team and client families. These services are always designed to be both tasteful and healing, with specialized care based on the needs and requests of each family.

Welch Funeral Home offers a Cowboy Cadillac limousine that can be used for transportation. This limo is available for funeral activities. Or, you can surprise a friend or family member with something unique, make a statement an event, or show your Texas pride on the road by booking these limo services. Memorial, life celebration, and funeral services are provided in all of the surrounding communities: Longview, Hallsville, White Oak, Diana, Tatum, and more. The funeral home boasts a BBB A+ Rating and also holds a membership with the Texas Funeral Directors Association (TFDA). You can learn more about these quality funeral services by talking to the experienced funeral director at Welch Funeral Home. Visit the facilities, located at 4619 Judson Rd Longview, TX 75605. Call at your convenience for prompt services or preplanning care, depending on the timeline of the upcoming event: (903) 663-3737.