He graduated from Corning High School in 1956. He worked as a forklift operator at Packaging Corporation Of America in Omaha, Nebraska from 1958-1972. Forced to quit due to his failing eyesight, Lee enrolled at Iowa Institute for the Blind and Grace Bible Institute.
Lee was blessed with 5 children, Roxanne Johnson of Council Bluffs, Iowa, Julie Schafer of Prescott, Iowa, Tim West of Prescott, Iowa, Jack West of Winterset, Iowa, Jill Ozuna of Red Oak, Iowa, 28 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren and 1 great great-grandchild. Moving to Prescott, Iowa, Lee continued to raise his children working various jobs. He was a talented woodworker, building porch swings, small buildings, gun safes, handcrafted cars and trucks. Lee also walked beans, painted and shingled houses as well as barns. During his life, he tore down many houses and barns, reclaiming the lumber to build various structures. Even with his blindness he worked tirelessly to support his family.
Lee loved playing his guitar and singing with his brothers and sisters.
He was introduced to Gloria Fuller by his lifelong friend, Art Gebbie.
Lee and Gloria continued their courtship by telephone and mail for six months until they were married on July 28, 1989, to which two wonderful children were added to the family. Gloria moved to Prescott where they resided on Lee's acreage until moving to Lenox, Iowa from 1987- 1997. Their romance continued to flourish when they moved to Weatherford. Lee loved Dale, Donna and all their children as if they were his own.
Lee and Gloria are members at Northside Baptist Church. They enjoyed many activities including the Weatherford Senior Center, singing, playing guitar and never leaving each other's side for 30 years.
Lee's health sadly declined with the diagnosis of glioblastoma. Within two weeks, Lee passed away at Hilltop Rehabilitation Center, where he went to Heaven on June 27, 2019 at 7:55 AM. Lee is survived by his wife; 7 children; brother, Dennis (Cindy) West; and sister, Erma Fuller. Lee was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Marie West; Wife's parents, Guy and Lorene Fuller; brother, Alvus West; brother-in-law, Marvin Fuller; daughter-in- law, Misty West; Grandchildren, Brett Schafer and Dane West; nephews, Sean and Daniel West, Kouper West and Ryan Price.
PALLBEARERS
David Rodriguez
Jim Hahn
Rick Hobbs
Rick Schafer
Brian West
Josh Gould
Art Gebbie
Steve Young
Tony Johnson
Dale Gross
Taylor West
Brandon West
Daniel Hunter
Jason Boswell
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18