Raymond Radford West

Raymond Radford West

Raymond Radford West, 83, loving husband, father, grandpa and great-grandpa was called home on Thursday, March 14, 2013.

His funeral service was 2:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, 2013, at the First Presbyterian Church with Pastor John Chapman officiating. His burial with military honors followed at the Highland Cemetery. A fellowship luncheon was held at the church immediately after the services at the graveside. Memorials in Raymond's honor may be made to the First Baptist Church in Havre. Services and arrangements were entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Ray was born April 25, 1929, in Lee County Virginia to Butler and Josie (Napier) West. He was raised and educated in Lee County and entered into the U.S. Air Force in 1948 and was honorably discharged as a corporal on April 6, 1950. After his discharge he came out to Montana, where his brother lived, and got a job on the Great Northern Railroad. On June 20, 1951, he married Georgianna Harber and together they made their home in Havre. Ray worked for the railroad for 42 years, retiring in 1992. He finished out his career by lobbying in the legislature on behalf of the UTU.

In his spare time Ray enjoyed fishing, hunting and being in the outdoors. He liked to take his family on vacation and enjoyed walking with Georgianna. He was known for smoking turkeys and making jerky. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and took care of the maintenance issues and repairs that they needed. His greatest enjoyment came from spending time with his family.

He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers and one sister.

Raymond is survived by his wife of 61 years, Georgianna West of Havre; his brother, Robert West of Ohio; his sister, Justine Middleton of Virginia; children, Kenny (Colleen) West of Havre, Joyce Golden of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, Roger West of Whitefish, Brenda (Daryl) Bain of Kalispell, and Jeri (Rick) Cote of Havre; 12 grandchildren, and 14 great-grandchildren.