Jack Walton West

Funeral service for Jack Walton West will be held at 2:00 P.M. Thursday, December 11th, 2014 at Oakhaven Memorial Gardens Chapel in Claremore, OK, with Pastor Paul Simpson officiating. Burial with military honors by the U.S. Navy will follow under the direction of MMS-Payne Funeral Home & Cremation Service. Visitation will be held at the funeral home Wed. 1-8 p.m.

Jack passed away Monday, December 8th, 2014 at the age of 92.

The son of Alvin Grover and Prude Elma West was born March 12th, 1922, in Talala, Oklahoma. Jack graduated from Talala High School in 1940 as salutatorian of his class. He spent his childhood working on the family farm in Talala. It was in the diner in Talala where he met and began courting his future wife, LaRea Nees.

In August of 1942 Jack left home to begin his service in the United States Navy. He began his service on the battleship USS Alabama protecting North Atlantic Supply routes. In 1943 he sailed with the Alabama to the South Pacific where he stayed for most of WWII, serving as Quartermaster of the ship. He participated in the bombardment and invasion forces for the Gilbert, Marshall, Caroline, and Marianas Islands, as well as Guam and others. He also served briefly aboard USS PCE 898. Jack had many stories from the war and enjoyed retelling them. In 2012, he returned to the USS Alabama for the ship’s 70th reunion and climbed up to his favorite post to share stories with his family.

Following the war, Jack and his newlywed wife LaRea moved to Kansas City where he attended Watchmaking School. Following his completion of school, the family returned to Claremore where Jack was employed by Mr. Hugo Heins of Heins Jewelry. Jack was well known in Claremore for the many years that he worked at the jewelry store, and would eventually buy the store from Mr. Heins. Jack liked to work, and he avoided retirement--continuing to work at the store even until his later years.

Jack, along with his family, was a founding member of the Trinity Baptist Church in Claremore, Oklahoma. He served as treasurer of the church for many years. Jack also served as Commander of the Veterans of Foreign War Post 2976 in Claremore.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Alvin Grover and Prude West, and by siblings Alvin “Buck” Lowell West, Amos “Whick” White West, and Tuxie Dee West.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years LaRea of the home; sisters Irene Renfro, of Pawhuska, and Peggy Branstetter and husband Bob, of Talala; children, Victor West of Claremore, Sandra Van Zandt and husband Doug, of Owasso, and Marc West and wife Adrienne, of Claremore; granddaughter Jodee Harris and husband Todd, of Mounds, and grandson Mitchell West of Oklahoma City; and great granddaughter Rylee Harris, of Mounds.