Donald Clay (Don) West, age 87, of Jordan passed away August 31, 2014 at home of natural causes surrounded by his loving family.
Don was born April 22, 1927 in Miles City, MT to Sterling Clay and Hannah Maude (Larson) West. He attended school and graduated high school in Jordan, MT in 1945. He worked for the forest service as a fire fighter during high school for two summers in Missoula. He joined the Merchant Marines and served from 1945 to 1948 in the Philippines and Hawaii.
Don and Mildred Pearson were married on November 23, 1949 in Broadus. He worked for the Montana State Highway Department surveying and engineering many Montana Bridges. He and Mildred moved to the ranch in Brusett in 1955 where they raised their family while raising grain and livestock.
Don was a lifelong member of the Presbyterian Church that his father helped start in Jordan. He was an elder and session member for many years. He was also a School Board member in Butte Creek School District for many years.
Don and Mildred retired from the ranch in 1995 and moved to Jordan. After moving to town, he worked for Pioneer Garage delivering propane and also at Fellman’s Hardware Store. For five years they traveled to Arizona for the winter. Don enjoyed traveling in his RV’s with his best friend, Mildred “Mil”. He loved his family and grandchildren.
Don was preceded in death by his father Sterling in 1937 and mother Hannah in 1967; brother Sterling West Jr. and sister Shirley West Wilson.
He is survived by his wife Mildred of the family home; daughter Sharon West of Spokane, WA; sons Sterling West of Miles City; Myron (Darlene) West of Missoula and Dennis (Jody) West of Miles City; grandchildren Michael (Pam) West of Black Hawk, SD, Misty (Robert) West-Wilbur of Nisland, SD; Caleb West Heggemeier of Spokane, WA; great-grandchildren Dylan and Hayley Wilber and his brother Lawrence (Kay) West of Seattle, WA.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 2, 2014 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Jordan. Funeral Services will be held on Wednesday, September 3, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Community Presbyterian Church in Jordan with burial following in Pioneer Cemetery. Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home of Jordan is in charge of the arrangements. Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting: www.stevensonandsons.com.
Should friends desire, memorials may be made to the Jordan Ambulance, Community Presbyterian Church or the charity of one’s choice.
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 2, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday September 3, 2014
Community Presbyterian Church
Jordan, Montana 59337
Service Schedule
Visitation
1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday September 2, 2014
Stevenson & Sons Funeral Home
Jordan, Montana 59337
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Wednesday September 3, 2014
Community Presbyterian Church
Jordan, Montana 59337
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Dave & Geri Eekhoff says
Mildred, Sharon, Myron, Sterling & Dennis: Our thoughts and prayers are with you today at the loss of Don…He was a great friend and companion. We will remember his generous spirit and hospitality.
What a great supporter of a young pastor and family who were beginning their journey in ministry in Jordan 46 years ago. The years have not dimmed the memories we share with your family and others like yours. God’s blessings and comfort surround you in the days ahead.
Weisgerber family says
Mildred and family
Sending our most heartfelt sympathies for the loss of Don, our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Tricia Weisgerber and family
Phil and Darlene Shawver says
Mildred and Family Condolences and prayers for all of you .May you find comfort in Gods Love. Hang on to the good memories. Don will be greatly missed by all.
Sue and Shawn FitzGerald says
Mildred and Family – our most heartfelt sympathy to you all. We will truly miss Don.
George and Susan Hageman says
Mildred and Family, We are so sorry to hear of Don’s passing. He was a wonderful man and a great example to his family and the community. He will be missed.
Casey Phalen says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Kristi beecher/ larsen says
im so very so thoughts and prays are with you and your family
Kristi beecher/ larsen says
im so very sorry thoughts and prays are with you and your family
Terri (Galla) Jessen says
Duane and I are both so saddened to hear of Don’s passing. Never was there a kinder man than he was. He definitely loved his family as you can tell by the way he lived his life. I have enjoyed many conversations with him and enjoyed his stories. He was such a gentleman in every sense of the way. I posted on Misty’s facebook page a little story but will repeat it as it makes me giggle everytime I think of it. I believe somewhere around 1993 or so I was driving out to Mildred and Don’s to clean their house a couple of times a month and as everyone knows Don loved his sweets and was not suppose to eat them or anything with a lot of fat in it and Mildred, God Bless you as you were always trying to make sure he did what the Doctors said, but Don didn’t always obey by the rules. On the days I cleaned he would make sure that Mildred was gone as she usually went to town on the days I cleaned and he would stay and keep me company, so if we sat down to eat lunch he would smother his sandwich with butter and mayo or miracle whip(cannot remember which one he ate) but then after that he would make sure and have a huge bowl of ice cream and would say “Mildred will never know” and just chuckle. I always got such a kick out of it because he was like a little kid trying not to get caught, although I do not live in Jordan anymore I know he will be missed something terrible, just as Misty said he most definitely made a difference in this world. Wonderful, wonderful man he most definitely was. God Bless each and everyone of you and you are in my prayers!
Cindy Stanton says
Sincerest condolences to the West family. Don certainly will be missed. What a truly lovely gentleman. May your faith comfort you at this time of sorrow.
Tasha Buxcel Solle says
I am sorry for your loss. I have many fond memories of Don from my childhood. He was such an inspiration to me. May god bless you in your time of sorrow and may he shed you with his grace when you need it most.
Debbie Weyer says
My condolences to Mildred, Sharon, Dennis, Sterling, Myron & family. Let God wrap his arms around you during this difficult time. Your memories will hold him close until you all can be reunited again.
Deb Bartholomew says
Mildred and Family,
I was saddened to hear of the loss of Don. Always remember “When A Loved One Becomes A Memory That Memory Becomes A Treasure”. Don was truly a Treasure and will always be in your hearts. Treasure your memories. It was great visiting and seeing you both at Mom and Dad’s Anniversary party. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Deb Bartholomew and Family
Ed and Janet Youn says
Sorry for you loss. Our thoughts are with you.
Donna Schmidt says
Dear Mildred and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. May strength and peace be with you. With deepest sympathy, Donna.
Donald & Betty Lou Weeding says
Keeping the West family in our prayers. Don was certainly a fine example of a Christian Gentleman and everyone thought highly of him. The family and community has lost a wonderful man.
Mary & Renee says
Dear Mildred we are so sorry to hear about Don- he was such a sweetheart of a man. He always had such a big smile on his face. He will be truly missed
Mary & Renee
John and Francis Krikorian says
Mildred and family, we are so sorry to learn of Dons passing. He was always so nice to visit with and there was never a time that he did not have a smile for everyone. We will keep you in our prayers in the coming days.
John and Francis Krikorian
Harold and Mareta Brusett says
Mildred and Family,
So sorry for your lose. Don was a great guy and will be missed. Hard to think about Senior Dinner without him there. Harold and Mareta
Jack Shawver says
Mildred and Family- So sorry to hear of Don passing. He was truly a great man, and will be missed by all of us. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
glen beecher says
Mildred and family Sorry to hear about Don. A great friend and neighbor. He will be missed.
Gloria and DJ Milroy says
Our deepest sympathies to all of Don’s family. Holding you close in our thoughts and prayers.
J Johnson says
My sincere condolences to the family of Donald Clay West – I am sorry to hear of your loss. May you be comforted by the “God of all comfort” who promises to “comfort us in all our tribulations” (2 Corinthians 1:3, 4). I hope you find peace in many Bible promises (John 17:3).
Rodger hovde says
My condolences to Don’s family, upon learning of his passing some two and a half years after..I always felt his kindred spirit and genuine kindness of heart. I have always considered Don a friend, who’s family and love became true to his being.
I remember the exact place, at nearly the exact time of his passing, where I was, having at that moment thoughts of him and his family being together. I believe his lasting testiment allowed for that to happen. To the reader, please pass this message on to Mildred and family, Rodger Hovde