Gary Gerald West

Gary Gerald West
Jacksonville - Gary Gerald West, 79, of Jacksonville, died at home on Memorial Day, Monday, May 29, 2023, after a brief battle with lung cancer.
Gary was born on January 22, 1944, in Jacksonville, the son of Carrie Wilson Floyd. After the death of his mom when he was only six years old, he was then adopted by his Uncle and Aunt, Bill and Pearl Wilson West.
Gary served in the United States Army from 1966-1968 in the 8th USA Missile Detachment in Steenwijk, Holland. Before and after his military service, he worked at Hertzberg Book Bindery in Jacksonville. After leaving the bindery, he began a 30-year career for Carnation, which later became Nestle, and retired in 2005. Gary was a Boy Scout Leader for Jacksonville Troop 101, a Sherwood Eddy YMCA youth softball coach, and took part in league bowling for many years. He enjoyed having breakfast every morning at Grandma Rudi's with his friends. He and his wife Sandy are also known for the many fur babies they rescued over the years and the current fur babies that will greatly miss him.
Gary married Sandra Baptist on March 26, 1965. While in the military, they had a son, Chad Steven, who was born February 15, 1968, in a military hospital in Bremerhaven, Germany.
Gary is survived by his wife Sandy of Jacksonville and their son Chad (Candy) West of Jacksonville. He is also survived by sisters Marjorie Hart of Jacksonville, Betty Smith of White Hall, and Pat Kelly of Jacksonville, as well as survived by brothers Bill West of Murrayville and Neel West of Jacksonville. He is also survived by granddaughters Danielle (Michael) West Donovan of Woodson and Alexandria (Billy) West Wilson of Jacksonville and many nieces, nephews, and in-laws. His greatest joy in recent years was the time he spent with his great-grandchildren Chloe and Emmet Donovan of Woodson and Gracelynn Wilson of Jacksonville.
He was preceded in death by his mother Carrie, his adoptive parents Bill and Pearl West, and two sisters: Phyllis Allen and Beverly Northrop.
Private services will be held. Memorials are suggested to PAWS of Jacksonville, 400 W. Walnut St., Jacksonville, IL 62650.
Cremation was provided by Lincoln Land Cremation Society.
Please visit www.lincolnlandcs.com to offer your condolences.