500 ATTEND SERVICE FOR EX-STATION CHIEF\School board president recalled fondly.

Byline: Karen Maeshiro Daily News Staff Writer

Tony Welch, the former commander of the sheriff's station and high school board president, was eulogized Friday as a man who never wavered from his convictions and who was respected and loved by the community.

More than 500 people attended the memorial service at the Lancaster High School auditorium, including sheriff's deputies, school officials, civic leaders and Sheriff Sherman Block.

"Some will miss his tireless dedication, some will miss him on the golf course or playing darts. Others will miss the smell of his pipe," Block said. "All will miss his loyalty, loyalty to the department, to the community, to us."

Welch, who had been diagnosed with lymph cancer in September 1994, died early Sunday at Antelope Valley Hospital, where he had been hospitalized since Christmas Day. He was 53.

Welch is survived by his wife, Ingred; his mother, Linda Allwork, who lives in England; daughter Veronica Young and her husband, John Young, and their two children, Megan and Bray; daughter Christine Welch; son Tony Welch; stepson Tim Kashani; and a brother, Barry Welch.

Ingred Welch received two American flags, one that flew at the high school and another that flew at the nation's Capitol Friday and was sent by Federal Express to the service by U.S. Rep. Howard "Buck" McKeon.

During the ceremony, which featured a Sheriff's Department six-person honor guard, people in the audience used their handkerchiefs or fingers to wipe away tears. A portrait of Welch graced the auditorium stage.

Close friend Bill Pricer, a former sheriff's deputy and sheriff's chaplain, said he and Welch once talked about death and funerals.

"It was quite clear he didn't like funerals, they were too dismal," Pricer said. "He wanted people to be happy, to think about the good times and enjoy his memory. He's in a much better place than any of us now. He doesn't have the stress and illness anymore."

Pricer also talked about Welch's love of golf.

"I have a feeling he would have been just as happy if we had the gathering at some country club at the 18th hole," Pricer said.

After 30 years of service, Welch retired in August from the Sheriff's Department and enjoyed being at his Leona Valley home that he shared with Ingred, along with their three dogs, five cats, eight goats and several birds.

Block noted that Welch's daughter, Veronica Young, also known as Ronnye, is a sheriff's deputy who works at the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center as a custody assistant.

"It was because of her love for her father that Tony was able to spend a full 30 years with us," Block said. "Ronnye donated one of her kidneys (in 1986) to Tony Welch so that he might live."

Welch started with the department in 1965, at one point working in the Special Enforcement Bureau, where he worked along with the Secret Service for presidential security.

Welch was a leader of the SWAT team for four years, worked for two years as an instructor at the Sheriff's Academy, and helped establish policies and procedures to enhance officer safety, Block said.

Welch was commander of the Antelope Valley station from February 1992 to April 1995, succeeding Capt. Gary Vance. He considered it among his proudest accomplishments.

Block said Welch was well-suited for the job.

"He not only had vast departmental experience, but he was a local resident who was very much involved in community activities," Block said.

High school trustee Sue Stokka told the audience of how Welch inspired his fellow trustees in the controversial 3-2 board decision to refuse to administer the CLAS test, a student exam.

"He faced adversaries with courage and conviction that gave strength to those around him," Stokka recalled.

Welch was elected to the high school board in November 1993, setting a school district election record of receiving 15,000 votes.

He was born in Winchester, England, in 1942, moved to Canada at age 10 and then to the United States when he was 16.

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Photo Tony Welch Community spirit remembered