Steve West

Steve (John Stephen) West passed away unexpectedly and peacefully at home in Hendersonville, North Carolina on January 10, 2026. He was born in Nebraska on December 25, 1944, to John Dill and Margaret Josephine (nee Cooper) West.
He grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska. He graduated from Southeast High School, where he was proud to be part of the gymnastics team. He then graduated from the University of Nebraska, where he was a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He was drafted into the Army and served 2 years in Viet Nam as a nighttime forward observer. After the war, he married Ann Abernathy, with whom he had his two sons, Brad and Jason. He was in sales with Pfizer and then with Bausch and Lomb that included many relocations. In 1987 he settled in the Minneapolis area, becoming the President of an international hearing aid firm and later of a photo printer manufacturer. Eventually he decided to pursue a more independent career helping start-up companies and failing companies. It was at one of those companies that he met his wife, Sherry Reid. Eventually, he and Sherry decided it was time to break out on their own, and bought Colonial Stone, a hardscaping business in Minneapolis that allowed him to drive a bobcat, trade in his suits for jeans, be outdoors and meet people. When the wintery weather, his work and health collided, they sold the business in 2015 and retired to the mountains in Hendersonville, NC.
He was - in no particular order - a determined fighter, good friend, unfiltered teaser, involved father, dog lover, motorhead, skier, loving grandfather, fisherman, gym rat, true people person, inspiration, compulsive neatnik, devoted son, hunter, volunteer, kid lover, exceptional boss, tennis player, avid reader, sous chef, all-around great guy and wonderful husband.
Steve was preceded in death by his parents and his son, Jason. He is survived by his wife, Sherry; son, Brad [Jen]; daughter-in-law, Nicole; brother, Larry [Judy]; grandchildren, Ben, Chloe, Nick, Hannah and Mason; niece, Debrah Semrad; and ex-wife, Ann.
A celebration of life will be held at a future date. Memorial donations may be made to a charity of your choice, Camp Watia [Western NC YMCA] or the Veterans History Museum of the Carolinas in Brevard, NC.