Jerry West

JONESBORO - Jerry Dean West was born in Cash, on Sept. 18, 1940, to William Frank West and Addie Emmaline Howell West. Jerry passed away peacefully on Dec. 17, 2025, at the Springs of Jonesboro.

Jerry was married to the love of his life, Anita Joyce Hamrick, on May 21, 1960, and spent the last 65 years devoted to their marriage. He is survived by her, as well as their daughter, Debbie Slayton, and her husband Greg, of Jonesboro and son, Jerry Lynn West and his wife Melissa of Blevins, Ark. Jerry deeply loved his family and spent many hours attending ballgames, motorcross races, pageants, church programs, and school activities with not only his children but his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He became affectionately known as Tackle to all who knew him. He is also the proud "Tackle" of Josh and Jerrod (Hayley) Slayton, all of Jonesboro, and Zack and Kaleb West, both of Salem, Ark. His legacy will also be carried on through his great-grandchildren, Alexis, Kenley, Saylor, and Stevie Slayton, and Mayson, Khloe, and Kayden West.

Jerry loved the Lord and was a member of Community Fellowship Church. He was also honored to be a part of the Armor Bearers group. Jerry loved to volunteer at the church and was often the first one there to cook hamburgers and prepare for community outreach events.

Jerry spent most of his life in the Jonesboro area and was instrumental in developing the athletic booster club at Nettleton High School, and served as President for several years. He was in sales and administration for Pepsi Cola for years and developed many lasting friendships with those he considered his "Pepsi family." He later became the proud owner of a Little Debbie Snack Cake franchise, which he retired from in 2002. He was not one to sit idle and began driving cars for Autoplex and many other local car dealerships to fill his time after retirement. Jerry was a man of his word, and if he said he would do something, you could count on it.

The celebration of Jerry's life will be Saturday, Dec. 20, at Community Fellowship, 1600 Red Wolf Blvd in Jonesboro. The visitation will precede the service at 1 p.m. Burial will follow at the Cash Cemetery. Honored to serve as pallbearers are nephews, Jeff Bailey, Andy Hamrick, Jonathan Hamrick, Nicholas Hamrick, Tobey Lewis, Brett Hamrick, and Rob McAlister. Honorary pallbearers are Danny Findley, Ray Nickle, and the men of Community Fellowship Church. The services will be under the direction of Gregg-Langford Bookout Funeral Home.

Anyone wishing to leave a lasting memorial is asked to consider the Beloved Women's Ministry at Community Fellowship Church or St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.