Eldon West

Eldon West died early in the morning hours of Thursday, December 9, 2010 at the Copper Cottage Care Center in Mesa, Arizona. He was 78 years old. Eldon was born on July 26, 1932 at a place called 11 Mile Corner (between Coolidge and Casa Grande) in Pinal County, Arizona right on the back of a flat-bed truck. He was born the youngest of 6 children to his parents, the late Alex Steven and Fannie Velma (Dalton) West. At the time of his birth, his mother and sisters were living at 11 Mile Corner where they all worked, in the surrounding fields, picking cotton to support the family. The doctor that delivered him came from Coolidge so, on his birth certificate it states that he was born in Coolidge. Eldon grew up mostly in Casa Grande and for a short period of time lived in Portland, Oregon. Life, for Eldon, was hard growing up during the era of the Great Depression; especially in the dusty little farming community of Casa Grande. He played the trombone in his high school band and was a member of its track team as well. A naturally swift athlete, Eldon regularly set and broke state track records. As a young man, he enjoyed riding freight trains from Casa Grande to Phoenix to visit his older sisters. He joined the U.S. Coast Guard in 1949. He lived a few years in Los Angeles working on airplanes for Hughes Aircraft. In 1955, while living in San Diego, he began a long and successful career in the newspaper industry. A few years later he moved to the Phoenix area where, many years later, he retired. He was a convert of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, gaining a strong and burning testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ while still a young man. He served in many Church callings throughout his life including: serving in the New River Branch Presidency, High Priest Group Leader, and was a worker in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. Eldon was never shy about sharing his love for The Savior and was always willing to stand up and be one of His witnesses. He loved being a missionary. Eldon enjoyed a long retirement and truly appreciated the time he was able to spend with his family. He loved his children so very much and regularly told them so; even until just before his death. There were also, 5 special women that, at one time or another, he was married to. He loved each one and they, in return, brought him love, beauty and added enrichment to his life: Kay Farr, Delia Scott, Eleanor Helmsteader, Linda Luke and Deneen Rogers. Eldon touched the lives of many people and has many friends. We will miss him. He will always be a part of our lives and we look forward to the day that we are together again. Eldon West is survived by his 9 children: Stephanie Kay Clark of Phoenix, Arizona, David Wayne Reed (Donna) of Phoenix, Arizona, Guy Eldon West (Donna) of Mesa, Arizona, Steven Daniel West (Cheryl) of Mesa, Arizona, Barbara Ellen Graves (Wally) of Heber, Arizona, Douglas Ray West of Mesa, Arizona, Scott Alex West of Mesa, Arizona, Paul Allen West (Wenshing) of Tempe, Arizona, Susan Marie D'Dadario (Tone) of Virginia Beach, Virginia; 26 granchildren; 20 great-grandchidlren; and by 1 sister, Reba Jo Eich of Phoenix, Arizona. He was preceded in death by his siblings: Nora Marie McGill, Verna May Eich, Wayne Burrl West and Melba Jean West. A graveside service will be held 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at the Reed Hatch Memorial Cemetery in Taylor Arizona. Visitation will be that morning from 10:00 A.M. to 10:30 A.M. at Owens Livingston Mortuary - Heritage Chapel, 84 E. 19th South in Snowflake, Arizona.