Don Corlis West
Don C. West, 93, a resident of the Forest Grove, Ore., community, died Monday, Feb. 13, 2017, at the Jennings McCall Living Facility in Forest Grove.
He was born on July 18, 1923, in Anna, the son of Corlis and Ferbia Waller West.
He was raised and received his education in the Anna community, having been a graduate with the Anna-Jonesboro Community High School class of 1941. Upon his graduation, he attended Carthage College for two years. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in June of 1943 and served for one enlistment until his honorable discharge on Jan. 10, 1946, at the rank of private first class.
He married Jean Ellen Wahl on July 24, 1946, in Anna. Following their marriage, they made their home in Anna until 1958, when they moved to the Forest Grove community, where he had resided since. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jean, in September 1998 after they celebrated over 52 years of marriage together. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Corlis and Ferbia West.
He worked as an optometry professor at Pacific University in Forest Grove for over 30 years. He was an optometrist for over 50 years. He was a member of the American Legion Washington Post No. 2 in Forest Grove, Forest Grove Elks Lodge BPOE No. 2440 and the VFW. Among his special interests, he enjoyed traveling the world with Jean.
Survivors include his son, Roger West of Forest Grove, Ore.; his daughter, Andrea George of Puyallup, Wash.; two grandchildren and a spouse, Matthew George of Baltimore, Md., and Erin and James Byun of San Diego, Calif.; two brothers and sisters-in-law, Jack and Ruth West of Apple Valley, Minn., and Lynn and Ann West of Cobden.
Private graveside service will be held at the Anna Cemetery in Anna.
To leave online condolences for the family, visit www.rendlemanhilemanfh.com.
Rendleman & Hileman Funeral Home in Anna is in charge of arrangements.