Jerry Carl West was born to John Cline and Bertie Brawly West on January 22, 1937, a winter’s day so cold in Ursula, AR, that the doctor’s car tires froze to the ground. After a brief illness, Jerry peacefully and quietly passed into heaven on August 21, 2020, in Fort Smith, AR. His older siblings Amos (Miriam), Wanda Walker (Wayne), and Tommy preceded him in death as well as his brother-in-law Ed Jolly. He was also preceded in death by his first wife of 28 years, Montiene Cotton West.
Survivors include his wife of 27 years Blanche Jolly West, sons Herschel Kirk West (Charlotte), Joel Hill (Maura), and Jason Hill, grandchildren Chelsea Dooly Shipley (John), Jared Christopher West (Jessica), Coleman, Chloe, Blaine, Emma, and Lilly Hill; great-grandchildren Katy, Conner, and Clara Shipley; and sister-in-law Glenda Darnell (Jim), brothers-in-law Burke, Jack, and Don Jolly, along with a number of nieces, nephews, and a host of friends.
As a young boy, Jerry got a job throwing the local newspaper, He could fold his papers so they just sailed through the air, landing right on the front porch. His route got long enough that he thought he needed a scooter to make life easier and actually convinced the bank to give him a loan to purchase a Cushman Eagle when he was 13 years old; he never missed a payment! He continued his career in the newspaper business, working his way up to be a switchboard operator. After graduating high school, he attended West-Ark Community College, focusing on business and drafting. Eventually he worked at Randall Ford for 32 years. After retiring he took a maintenance position for Fort Smith Public Schools, hanging up his mops and brooms after 10 years to really retire. In those years he helped to start the River Valley Ovarian Cancer Alliance, a feat he was very proud of. He also enjoyed serving his churches, Midland Heights and Wesley United Methodist Churches .
Anyone who knew Jerry knew how much he enjoyed telling a story, making people join in his powerful infectious laugh. He was a kind, loving man who appreciated life and lived it to the fullest. He particularly enjoyed spending time with his family and grandchildren, fishing and woodworking, taking Florida vacations and the excursion train with the youngsters, even taking up the game of golf with the grandchildren.
Memorial service will be Thursday, August 27, 2020, 2:00 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church with Rev. Zeke Allen officiating. The service will be live-streamed on Facebook live, WesleyUMC.
Instead of sending flowers, please consider making a memorial donation to either Wesley United Methodist Church, 2200 Phoenix Ave., Fort Smith, AR 72903 or River Valley Ovarian Cancer Alliance (RVOCA), P.O. Box 11133, Fort Smith, AR 72917 .
