Lon Hugh WEST Jr.

WEST STATESVILLE Lon Hugh West, Jr. Oct. 14, 1932 - Oct. 05, 2012 Lon Hugh West, Jr., age 79, an Attorney who practiced law in Statesville, NC for 49 years passed away October 5, 2012, at 1:30 P.M. He retired from law practice in June, 2011 after being diagnosed with lung cancer in March, 2011. He was born October 14, 1932 in Florence, SC, only child of the late Lon H. West, Sr., of Yadkinville, NC and Raye Odom West, of Hartsville, SC. At age two years he moved with his parents to Yadkinville, NC, where he grew up. His father, Lon H. West, Sr., was Clerk of Superior Court and Probate Judge in Yadkin County, NC from 1936 until his death in 1963. His mother Raye Odom West was Assistant Clerk of Court and served as Clerk of Court in 1970 completing her husband's term after his death. He graduated from Yadkinville High School in 1951. He attended Duke University one year, transferred to Wofford College for a year before volunteering for the draft and entering the military service in fall of 1954. Was a Specialist 3rd Class in 32nd Signal Battalion as a Teletype Operator, with U.S. Army, 5th Corp, and 7th Army from August 1954 until July 1956, Stationed in Darmstadt, Germany from January 1955 to July 1956. He then reentered Wofford College in Spartanburg, NC in fall of 1956 and graduated in 1958 with an AB degree in History with a minor in English. He entered Wake Forest University School of Law in Winston-Salem, NC, in September 1958, and graduated in 1961 with a Jurist Doctor (JD) Degree. Surviving him is his wife of 54 years, Kathleen Small, of Tabor City, NC, whom he married on August 17, 1958, who is the youngest daughter of the late Alexander M. and Mollie F. Small. He and his wife met while she was in nursing school at City Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Winston-Salem, NC. After their marriage they lived on the Wake Forest Campus for the next three years while he was in Law School. After graduation they moved to Statesville in March of 1962. His wife served as his Office Manager and Legal Secretary from 1964 until his retirement in 2011. They have no children. He served on Iredell County Board of Elections 1966 1972, and again from 1981 1995, for a total of 22 years, having served as Chairman of Iredell Board of Elections for four years from 1985 1993. Retired from Board July 18, 1995 and was given a State Wide and public reception and received an award in appreciation for his 22 years service by the Iredell County Board of Elections. President of Election Boards Association of North Carolina from August 1991 1993, and was responsible for incorporating the organization and drawing their By-Laws. He served as a Director and Chairman of By-Laws Committee for Election Boards Association of North Carolina, from 1993 1995. He also served on Advisory Committee of the North Carolina Board of Elections in Raleigh in 1992. He was the recipient of The Order Of The Long Leaf Pine by the State of North Carolina in September 2011 after his retirement. Also a recipient of the James Iredell Award in 1992 for senior attorney who sets an example to young lawyers, exemplifies integrity, professionalism and excellent legal work, and aids young lawyers in their practice. He was a Member of Broad Street United Methodist Church since 1962. He served on the Administrative Board for three terms and was Chairman of the Administration Board for one term and served as President of United Methodist Men's Club two terms, and served on the Long Range Planning Committee of the Church, served on the Worship Committee, Stewardship Committee, Finance Committee, and served as Chairman of Permanent Endowment Fund for Local Missions. He was a member of the following: American Bar Association, North Carolina State Bar Association, North Carolina Bar Association, American Judicature Society, Iredell County Bar Association, 22nd and 22A Judicial Bar Association. He served a term as President of Iredell County Bar Association and served a term as President 22nd Judicial bar Association, and received Certificate of Appreciation for 49 years of service to the Citizens of Iredell County and State of North Carolina in 2011 from the 22A Judicial Bar upon his retirement. He was a lifelong Republican, an avid bicycle rider for several years, a loyal fan and supporter of Wofford College Athletics, and he and his wife held season football tickets and attended all home football games at Wofford College for 42 consecutive years. They held tickets for the 2012 season but had been unable to attend. A memorial service will be held at Broad Street United Methodist Church, Statesville, NC at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 9, 2012, with the Rev. Dr. Michael Gehring officiating. Greeting of friends will follow the service in the Memorial Hall. At other times friends may visit at the home at 515 Hedrick Drive. A private service for the interment of cremated remains will be held in Oakwood Cemetery prior to the memorial service. A request that any memorials be made to Broad Street United Methodist Church, Statesville, NC, Hospice & Palliative Care of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Road, Statesville, NC 28625 or to Wofford College Annual Fund, Church Street, Spartanburg, SC, or to a charity of your choice. Online condolences may be made to the family at nicholsonfunerals.com Nicholson Funeral Home is serving the family.