Born at home in Texas; worked in Klamath Falls Oregon as part of the Civilian Corps. at Crater Lake. He was the camp cook, which contributed to his excellent skills in cooking for the family. He entered WWII in the Army and was stationed at the Ft. Vancouver Bridge between Oregon and Washington; he was monitoring the Columbia River, keeping watch for the Japanese vessels that might attempt to sail up the river from the Pacific Ocean. This is where James met June; she and her girlfriend hid in the rumble seat of her brothers car, and when they were discovered her brother made them get out at the bridge on the Oregon side while he and his friend traveled over to Washington. Of course, she was under the wonderful watchful eye of the soldier, James, who was on the bridge that day.
James was called "J.B." by the family. He worked as a painter for many years, then began a career with his sister Margie in Antiques. He was an accomplished musician as well, teaching his daughter and step-children how to play guitar and sing; they traveled around California and performed many times at U.S.O. shows and on television. One step-son eventually became the member of the band with Dino, Desi Arnez Jr. and Billy. That stepson admired J.B. so much that he was adopted by him and took the Welch name.
He went on to become a professional musician, playing all over the country with bands such as Roy Clark, etc. all because of the wonderful father J.B. had been to him.

J.B. was known to have bursitis, and for many years was treated with steroid shots. He had to give up the painting profession because of this. It is thought that the steroids affected his heart. He died suddenly and unexpectedly of a myocardial infarction in California.