IN AND around Tullahoma, it’s easy to recognize Daryl Welch. For 25 years, he’s been the friendly face behind countless successful real estate deals and one of the area’s most trusted brokers with Harton Realty. But beyond his reputation for helping families find their forever homes, Welch has spent decades investing in something even more important: young people.
For 26 years, Welch has quietly mentored and coached hundreds of local children, teaching them not only life skills but lessons in kindness, confidence, and respect. To him, real estate may be his career, but helping young people find direction and purpose is his calling.
“I was born and raised here,” Welch said. “I lived in Murfreesboro for about 10 years of my life and moved back here in 1999. I started in real estate working for the Harton family at Harton Realty that same year.”
Over the years, Welch’s roots in the community have only deepened. When he’s not working with clients, he can often be found cheering on the next generation at schools, on ball fields, or in the bleachers.
“I’ve coached Frank Mullins football, Little League baseball, and basketball,” explained Welch. “I’ve been involved with the youth since I moved back to town,” he said. “I even served on the school board for four years. I’ve always had an interest in education, and that’s what led me to get involved with the kids here.”
That involvement evolved into something special when Welch began volunteering with the Tullahoma Area Chamber of Commerce’s Creating Educational Opportunities (C.E.O.) mentoring program, where he meets regularly with fifth grade male students at Farrar Elementary.
“As a C.E.O. partner, I wanted to do something to work with the kids,” he said. “They pair us boys who might not have father figures with others who do, and I meet with them as a group. The goal is to help them understand that everyone wakes up and puts their pants on the same way, but we may not all wake up the same way or in the best environment.”
For Welch, these sessions aren’t about lectures or life lessons; they’re about connection.
“What I’ve found is that these boys really start accepting each other,” he said. “Sometimes they sit on opposite ends of the classroom, but by the end, they’re buddies. When I get done with them, the hope is that they’re friends and that down the road, that friendship will help them.”
Every semester, Welch leads his group through lessons that focus on attitude, manners, and respect.
“Some of the things we talk about are attitude, self-image, and manners,” he explained. “One of the first rules we have is ‘yes ma’am,’ ‘no ma’am,’ ‘yes sir,’ and ‘no sir,’ — whoever comes in the room. Then we go and thank the cafeteria workers because those ladies work very hard to put food on the table every day, just like parents do at home. I think it’s important to appreciate those ladies; they do work really hard throughout the school system.”
Welch meets with the students several times each semester, making it a point never to miss a visit.
“I put it on my calendar and make darn sure that we don’t miss it,” he said. “I enjoy being with them as much as they enjoy being with me.”
Welch said his inspiration comes from a quote from scholar and teacher, Forest Witcraft, that he has hung by his computer for more than two decades, and is one that he said perfectly sums up his philosophy on life:
“One hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove, but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
“That’s what it’s all about,” said Welch. “Even before I ran for school board, I knew that was what I wanted my life to stand for. I hope I can make an impact so that one day, a kid can say, ‘I can always reach out to Mr. Welch.’”
Welch added that he hopes the young people he mentors will take away one simple message: to treat people the way you want to be treated.
As for what he has gained personally by helping to mentor students, Welch said they continue to teach him.
“I wouldn’t still be doing it if I didn’t get something out of it,” he said. “I look forward to meeting with the kids every month. My own kids are grown now, but I still love being around the students. They teach me as much as I teach them.”
Welch also added that he is thrilled these children are the future of Tullahoma, a community he’s proud to call home.
“When I worked at [Middle Tennessee State University], I traveled the state and met a lot of nice people,” he said. “But after running around for years, I realized Tullahoma is a pretty neat place to grow up. That’s what brought my wife, Lori, and me back. She’s a school nurse at the high school, and we wanted to raise our family here. It’s a good place to raise kids and get a good education.”
When asked what advice he would give to others who want to help the next generation, Welch said the best thing the older generation can do for the other is listen.
“I think the first thing you have to do is listen,” he said. “Sometimes I’m not the best listener, but you have to listen and watch to see what the needs are. All kids have different needs. If we listen before we speak, we’ll see more clearly. Sometimes someone just needs a hug.” GN
