Donald Randolph West

Donald Randolph West, R. Ph., was born November 2, 1933, to George R. West and Lorena Felder in Temple, Texas. He attended Dunbar High School there, a superior student who graduated Salutatorian of his class. Donald matriculated to Texas Southern University in Houston. While there, he volunteered to serve in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He received an honorable discharge in 1957 after four years of service and continued his education, earning his degree in Pharmacy.

Whilst in the service, Donald met and married Fay Nash, and in this union, they welcomed their first daughter, Chandra Donette. The young family relocated afterwards to Tuskegee, Alabama, where Donald worked as Chief Pharmacist at John A. Andrew Memorial Hospital. There, they welcomed their second daughter, Trina Lorraine. Later, the family moved to California, where Donald continued to grow in his profession, working at the VA Hospital.

After some time, Donald relocated to Pueblo, Colorado, to accept a leadership position in the VA Hospital Department of Pharmacy. He later married Birdell Hardy, and with her two sons, Vincent and Ivan, they together united as a family. In this union, Donald and Birdell welcomed the birth of their daughter, Margo Lynn, and moved to Denver, Colorado, where he accepted employment as a Pharmaceutical Sales Representative with Merck Sharp & Dohme. During this time, they welcomed their son, Donald Randolph Jr. (Randy).

Donald succeeded greatly in his profession, making countless strong connections anywhere he went. As he continued building his network, Merck recognized the value he brought to the company and promoted him to a Military Sales position in San Antonio, Texas. Donald became a great leader for the company, so outstanding that he earned multiple Vice President’s Awards from Merck throughout his career. He was also driven to continue his education, earning his MBA and thriving until his retirement in 2005 after 37 years of work. His desire to remain engaged with his network of Merck alumni led him to pursue a sales position with Essential Pharmaceutical, where he specialized in organ transplant solutions.

While living in San Antonio, Donald welcomed grandchildren, made many close friends, and traveled around the world. He found his faith home in Antioch Missionary Baptist Church, where he served as an active member. During his time in retirement, his beloved wife Birdell passed away on February 15, 2011.

Donald continued to travel and enjoy his family, grandchildren, friends, and church, well into the next decade. With loved ones at his bedside, Donald passed away peacefully on Sunday morning, May 27, 2018.

He is survived by his brother Delano, first cousin Dorothy, children Vincent, Chandra (Mark), Ivan (Claudina), Trina (John), Margo (Don-Terry), Donald Jr., grandchildren Chelsea, Lauren Joy, Ian, Miles, Pierce, Don-Terry Jr., Kiri, Donald III (Trey), and Mason-Terry.