Lewis Albert West Jr.

Lewis, born on January 21st, 1935, in Rowan County, North Carolina, completed his journey on this Earth and entered his eternal home Thursday, January 27th, 2022 in the company of his wife and devoted family.

Lewis graduated from Spencer High School in 1953 where he drove a school bus and played left field for the Spencer Railroaders baseball team. Upon graduation, attended King’s Business College in Charlotte, North Carolina where he met the love of his life, Shirley Phillips, from Kannapolis, North Carolina. After their graduation in May 1955, they were married on November 19th, 1955.

Lewis, who was baptized at Oakdale Baptist Church in Spencer, North Carolina, was a 60-year member of Christ Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, North Carolina where he was chairman of the Board of Deacons and served on every possible committee. He loved history and was a founding member of the Mint Hill Historical Society, a member of the Mint Hill Masonic Lodge #742, and sang in the choir of both Christ Presbyterian Church and Blair Road United Methodist Church.

He grew up in the golden era of radio in the late 1940’s. Like most boys from Rowan County, he was fascinated with the Lone Rangers, Tom Mix, Captain Midnight, and Gene Autry. He knew the radio personalities at WBT, who helped him develop the hobby of transcribing old recordings onto cassette tapes. This hobby soon turned into a small business, Radio Gem’s, and Lewis exhibited these at the Metrolina Flea Market for 20 years. Lewis spent 30 years in a career as an insurance claims investigator for Equifax Services.

He loved to travel as evidenced by him and Shirley having visited all 50 states in the United States. He was passionate about baseball and he and Shirley enjoyed visiting Spring training sites in Florida, along with many baseball trips to most all the MLB cities. He was also passionate about gardening, loved the outdoors and spending time at Lake Norman.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Shirley Phillips West; brother, Wayne B. West (Marie) of Kernersville; sister, Sue Carolyn West Wilson of Winston-Salem; three children, Lewis A. “Tal” West III (Donna), of Southport, Jess P. “Jay” West (Susan), and Lee Wayne West (Terri), both of Mint Hill; seven beloved grandchildren, Lewis A. “Levi” West IV, Brittany West Martin (Jonathan), of Mint Hill, Sarah West Hazelton (Ryan) of Weddington, Michael Phillips West of Mint Hill, Dr. Jess Phillips West (Logan) of Charlotte, Susan Elizabeth “Libby” West of Charlotte, and Hallie Rhay West of Asheville; and six great-grandchildren, Atlas E. West, Adeline M. Martin, Addison M. Martin, Lewis A. “Luke” West V, Hunter G. Hazelton, and Penelope I. West.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 4:00 pm Sunday, January 30th, 2022, at McEwen Mint Hill Chapel, 7428 Matthews-Mint Hill Road. A service to celebrate Lewis’ life will be 2:00 pm Monday, January 31st, 2022, at Christ Presbyterian Church, 2461 Arty Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28208. The family will be receiving friends there also one hour prior to the service.

For those wishing to send memorial gifts, please consider Christ Presbyterian Church or the Mint Hill Historical Society. Condolences may be offered at www.McEwenPinevilleChapel.com.