Tom Harry West

Tom Harry West passed peacefully, October 26, 2023. He was a believer in The Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was born in South Bend, Indiana, July 5, 1938, the only child of Ruth Irene Bunnell and James Harry West. He was a graduate of DePauw University, Greencastle, Indiana. There he was a member of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity. He was a graduate of Case-Western Reserve University Medical School. His surgical training was completed at the University of Michigan, 1964-1970. Upon completion of his surgical training, he served as Lt. Commander at U S Navy Hospital, Quantico, Virginia.
In 1974 he and his family moved to St. Petersburg, Florida, where he opened his surgical practice. Primarily, he worked at St. Anthony 's Hospital from 1974 - 1996.
He was a fellow in the American College of Surgeons, the Southeastern Surgical Congress, the Christian Medical and Dental Society (CMDA), the Florida Association of General Surgeons and the American Society for Bariatric Surgery. He was a member of the Board of Governors of Pinellas County Medical Society, 1982-1985.
He was forced into an early retirement owing to health issues. However, he was able to transfer his surgical skills into various mediums of artistic painting which he enjoyed immensely. He was very interested in medical ethics and sought to influence others in this area. He enjoyed reading, fishing, and RVing. He was a seasonal resident of Highlands, North Carolina for 25 years.
He is a member of Crosspoint Church, Clemson, S.C., where he had been living. He had recently returned to Florida.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Deanna, his son, James (Bridgit), his daughter, Laura (Aaron), sister-in-law, Gail Chrissinger (Bill), niece, Christine Likens (Chris), nephew, Sean Chrissinger(Katie), grandchildren, Brianna Reed and Liev Reed and cousins.
Those wishing to send a memorial gift, please send to Christian Medical and Dental Society, 2604 Highway 421, Bristol, TN 37620.
A celebration of his life will be held at a later date.