Celebrating the life of
Donald E. West, Sr.
March 16, 1934 - March 12, 2016
SAVANNAH – Donald West, 81, died Saturday evening, March 12, 2016, after a long illness with Alzheimer’s at Azalealand Nursing Home.
He was born in Savannah, GA on March 16, 1934. He excelled in sports playing football and baseball for Savannah High Blue Jackets. He was the star half back and won All-City in 1952 gaining most of the yards and points that year.
He joined the U.S. Army in 1953 after graduation and was on active duty during the Korean Conflict. Returning home he married his high school sweetheart Elaine Beasley. They were married 59 years and had 3 children.
Mr. West coached Little League football and baseball for 23 years, coaching his 2 sons at Bacon Park. He coached the Bacon Park Eagles and the Rams football team. In baseball he coached the B&B Paint team. Donald was employed by Savannah Electric and Power Co. for 38 years. He retired as supervisor in 1994.
After retirement he enjoyed restoring and collecting antique furniture, taking care of grandchildren, and going to their sporting events, dance recitals, and picking them and their friends up after school. He and Elaine travelled to meet his Army buddies for reunions in various places. They also travelled to Ireland and many times to Las Vegas, NYC, and Arizona. He was a member of Central Christian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Elaine Beasley West; his daughter, Carolyn G. Shay (Bill), his sons, Donald E. West, Jr. and David M. West; grandchildren, Doug Greene, Kati Vaquer, Danny Shay, and Keri Bettis; 5 great-grandchildren; and siblings, Betty Gregory, Joe, Lonnie, and Tony West.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday from 5:00 pm until 7:00 pm and from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm on Wednesday at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
The funeral service will take place at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, March 16, 2016, his 82nd Birthday, at Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel.
Interment, with full military honors, will follow in Forest Lawn Memory Gardens.
The family suggests remembrances to the Alzheimer’s Association or the Greater Savannah Humane Society.
Please sign our on-line guest book at www.foxandweeks.com
Dear Carolyn and Family, I'm sorry about your sweet Dad...but what a beautiful 82nd Birthday in Heaven. Please know you are in my prayers. God will be faithful and will give you Grace to face each day. Love to you and your family. Always, Tori
- Tori Skinner, Savannah , GA
Mrs. West and family my heartfelt condolences for your loss. It's a special person that devotes his time to teach kids the games of football and baseball as Mr. West did for so many years. May God Bless the family during this difficult time.
- Butch ward, Richmond hill, Ga
To all of Don's family, I send my sympathy.My Don and I enjoyed visiting Don on each of our Panama reunions. I think our favorite reunion was when Don an Elaine hosted the reunion in Savannah. May your wonderful and happy memories ease your loss and giver you comfort and strength in the days ahead. Love and God Bless you. Marcia Schlichtemier
- Marcia Schlichtemiet, Scottsblufff, Nebraska
To all of Don's family, I send my sympathy.My Don and I enjoyed visiting Don on each of our Panama reunions. I think our favorite reunion was when Don an Elaine hosted the reunion in Savannah. May your wonderful and happy memories ease your loss and giver you comfort and strength in the days ahead. Love and God Bless you. Marcia Schlichtemier
- Marcia Schlichtemiet, Scottsblufff, Nebraska
Elaine and family- my condolences on the loss of Don. He was a treasured military buddy. I will always remember the great host he and the entire family Were when we came to Savanah for a military reunion. Best wishes going forward. My thoughts will be with you In Savanah on March 16, 2016. Ken
- Ken Garland, Phoenix, AZ
Rose and I express our deep sympathy to Elaine and family. We enjoyed memories of Donald during our U.S. Army reunions. I particularly remember meeting and being with Donald in Panama 1955. I and the other members and wives of the 764th AAA Battalion will miss Donald. Elaine, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
- Noel & Rose Epstein, St. Louis, MO
Aunt Elaine and Family, It is a blessing to have shared so many wonderful memories with Uncle Donald. He was a special man and always made us laugh. We will miss him and treasure the time we spent with him. Sending our love to you all at this most difficult time.
- Phil, Linda, Brandon & Brooke West, Pooler, GA
Carolyn, I was so sorry to learn of your father's passing. I think about you often even though we don't see each other like we use to. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
- Suzanne Swinson, Savannah, GA
We are so sorry for your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
- The Covington Family, Savannah, GA
Carolyn, Bill and Keri..So sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a wonderful person and so much fun to be around. Prayers to all. To "Bauge"- Than you so much for the many laughs and wonderful memories the Paris' family will always treasure.
- The Paris Family, Savannah, GA
My sincere sympathy to Elaine and family. Donald leaves wonderful memories of growing up on 39th St,and Wells Park bonfires every New Year's Eve.
- Sherry Deal Jones, Winter Garden, FL
So sorry for your loss. My heart is with you at this time and beyond. Mr. West will be missed. Thanks to your family for all the kindness that youhave shown me. God be with you always. Virginia at Azalealand.
- Virginia Johnson, Savannah, GA
I'm Sending my Prayers to Elaine and the Family I'm so sorry for your loss. Mr. West was a very sweet man that has a good wife and family that was Blessed to have him so long. He's your Angel now to look over y'all. God Bless
- Suzy C. Roberts , Pooler , Ha.
Dear Carolyn and Family, I'm sorry about your sweet Dad...but what a beautiful 82nd Birthday in Heaven. Please know you are in my prayers. God will be faithful and will give you Grace to face each day. Love to you and your family. Always, Tori
- Tori Skinner, Savannah , GA
Mrs. West and family my heartfelt condolences for your loss. It's a special person that devotes his time to teach kids the games of football and baseball as Mr. West did for so many years. May God Bless the family during this difficult time.
- Butch ward, Richmond hill, Ga
To all of Don's family, I send my sympathy.My Don and I enjoyed visiting Don on each of our Panama reunions. I think our favorite reunion was when Don an Elaine hosted the reunion in Savannah. May your wonderful and happy memories ease your loss and giver you comfort and strength in the days ahead. Love and God Bless you. Marcia Schlichtemier
- Marcia Schlichtemiet, Scottsblufff, Nebraska
To all of Don's family, I send my sympathy.My Don and I enjoyed visiting Don on each of our Panama reunions. I think our favorite reunion was when Don an Elaine hosted the reunion in Savannah. May your wonderful and happy memories ease your loss and giver you comfort and strength in the days ahead. Love and God Bless you. Marcia Schlichtemier
- Marcia Schlichtemiet, Scottsblufff, Nebraska
Elaine and family- my condolences on the loss of Don. He was a treasured military buddy. I will always remember the great host he and the entire family Were when we came to Savanah for a military reunion. Best wishes going forward. My thoughts will be with you In Savanah on March 16, 2016. Ken
- Ken Garland, Phoenix, AZ
Rose and I express our deep sympathy to Elaine and family. We enjoyed memories of Donald during our U.S. Army reunions. I particularly remember meeting and being with Donald in Panama 1955. I and the other members and wives of the 764th AAA Battalion will miss Donald. Elaine, our thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
- Noel & Rose Epstein, St. Louis, MO
Aunt Elaine and Family, It is a blessing to have shared so many wonderful memories with Uncle Donald. He was a special man and always made us laugh. We will miss him and treasure the time we spent with him. Sending our love to you all at this most difficult time.
- Phil, Linda, Brandon & Brooke West, Pooler, GA
Carolyn, I was so sorry to learn of your father's passing. I think about you often even though we don't see each other like we use to. Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you during this sad time.
- Suzanne Swinson, Savannah, GA
We are so sorry for your loss! Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time.
- The Covington Family, Savannah, GA
Carolyn, Bill and Keri..So sorry for your loss. Your Dad was a wonderful person and so much fun to be around. Prayers to all. To "Bauge"- Than you so much for the many laughs and wonderful memories the Paris' family will always treasure.
- The Paris Family, Savannah, GA
My sincere sympathy to Elaine and family. Donald leaves wonderful memories of growing up on 39th St,and Wells Park bonfires every New Year's Eve.
- Sherry Deal Jones, Winter Garden, FL
So sorry for your loss. My heart is with you at this time and beyond. Mr. West will be missed. Thanks to your family for all the kindness that youhave shown me. God be with you always. Virginia at Azalealand.
- Virginia Johnson, Savannah, GA
I'm Sending my Prayers to Elaine and the Family I'm so sorry for your loss. Mr. West was a very sweet man that has a good wife and family that was Blessed to have him so long. He's your Angel now to look over y'all. God Bless
- Suzy C. Roberts , Pooler , Ha.
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
