A Vicksburg man described as a “devoted father, husband and friend” drowned Wednesday with his brother in an Alabama creek, Alabama Marine Police said.

Timothy Shane Welch, a 26-year-old Vicksburg native, was swimming with his 33-year-old brother, Jerome Harper, in the Fox Creek area of the Tallapoosa River when both men got caught in the current and drowned, police said.

The creek is in the Alexander City area, which is about 70 miles north of Montgomery.

Police said the brothers were swimming with a group of friends when the current took them.

Welch is the son of Mitzi Davis Harper and Donald Timothy Welch, both of Vicksburg. He attended Southside Christian School.

His wife, Krystal Wallace Welch, said he lived for his family, especially his 4-year-old son, Timothy.

“He worked hard,” Krystal Welch said. “If he wasn’t working, he was spending time with his family and friends.”

Welch worked in construction and was planning to move to Alexander City soon with his family for a job, Krystal Welch said.

“He would do anything for anybody,” Krystal Welch said. “He would give the shirt right off his back for someone. He was a great father, husband and friend.”

Fisher Funeral Home of Vicksburg is handling arrangements.