Donald H. West

DONALD H. WEST SEPT. 7, 1908 - AUG. 3, 2007 Donald H. West passed away quietly at home following a brief illness. He was 98 years. He was born in Ozark, Arkansas and spent his long life in Modesto, California. Donald was the son of James S. West and Nona Lesh West, founder of J.S. West Company started in 1909. Don joined the company in 1934 and served as President, Board Chairman and Chairman of the Board, Emeritus until he died. He was a graduate of Modesto High School, Modesto Junior College and the University of California, Berkeley. He was a well recognized leader in the community and did much to help the egg industry grow in the Central Valley. Throughout his life he received many honors. He was honored as American Legion Man of the Year, the recipient of the Pioneer Award by the American Egg Board and the Good Egg'' Award. He served as Salvation Army Campaign Volunteer, he was a board member at Memorial Hospitals Association for nine years; he was on the Stanislaus State College Advisory Board, a charter member of Del Rio Country Club and was past president of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, which he had been involved with for over 63 years. He was a trusted and much beloved leader in J.S. West and Company for over 75 years. He ran a sound business, placing great value on the workers and working conditions. He had an optimistic outlook on life and valued his relationships with people above all else.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Ruby Garrison West, his father and mother, James S. and Nona Lesh West, two brothers, Virgil and Norman West and two sisters, Vera Whitmore and Nona West Benson. He was cherished by his family and survived by his children, James S. West and D. Gary West, both of Modesto, and Victoria Erickson of Aptos, CA. He had four grand children, Robert West, Michael West, Jason West and Janet West Griskonis. He had four great grandchildren, Victoria Staples, Noah Hayden West, Charles Nicklaus West and James Garrison West.

Visitation will be held Friday, Aug. 10, from 5:00-9:00 P.M. at Colonial Chapel-Franklin & Downs. Services will be held at 11:00; Sat., Aug. 11, at the St. Paul's Episcopal Church. Private burial will be at Acacia Memorial Park.

Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice, 4368 Spyres Way, Modesto, CA 95356 or The Salvation Army, P.O. Box 1663, Modesto, CA 95353; Modesto Gospel Mission, P.O. Box 1203, Modesto, VA 95353; Memorial Hospital Foundation, 1329 Spanos Ct., Suite C-2, Modesto, CA 95355 or to a favorite charity.

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