Kenneth Larry Welker

Kenneth Larry Welker, born March 10, 1945, passed away Sunday, May 7, 2023.  He is preceded in death by his wife, Susan K. Welker, and his parents, Kenneth E. and Betty J. Welker.  He is survived by his four children; daughter Wendy and husband Sander Rue, daughter Kenly and husband Dallas Smith, son Jim and wife Valerie Welker, daughter Angel and husband K.C. McGovern, nine grandchildren; Dallas Smith and wife Maria, Justin Smith, Sander Rue, Jr., Jarryd Rue and wife Samantha, Braden Rue, Madisyn Rue, Caitlin McGovern, Amy McGovern, and Connor McGovern; great-grandchildren, Henry, Eleanor, Owen Rue and Roberto Hoskin Jr.. 

Kent, as he was called in his youth, grew up between his hometown, Union City, IN and Albuquerque, NM.  He first came to Albuquerque in the 1950’s as a young boy with his parents Ken and Betty.  After graduating high school in Ohio in 1963, he joined the Army National Guard, and served until 1971.  He married Susan K. Brooks, also of Union City, IN in September of 1966, and by 1971, after the birth of three children, moved his family back to Albuquerque, NM, where their fourth child was born. 

Many of his friends and family in Albuquerque knew him as Kenny.  He spent his entire life and career in the car business.  He loved fixing cars and customizing hot rods and lead sleds, but his passion was dirt track racing.  If it had wheels, he raced it!

Funeral services will be held on Monday, May 15, 2023, at 9:30AM at Daniels Funeral Home-Southern Chapel (2400 Southern Blvd. NE, Rio Rancho, New Mexico, 87124).  Burial services will follow at

Sandia Memory Gardens Cemetery (9500 San Pedro Drive NE, Albuquerque, New Mexico, 87120).  Pallbearers are Jim Welker, Dallas Smith II, Dallas Smith III, Justin Smith, Sander Rue, Jr., Jarryd Rue.