Gary Keith West
July 22, 1947 ~ January 16, 2022
Gary Keith West, 74, of Jefferson City, entered into his heavenly home on Sunday, January 16, 2022, at St. Mary’s Hospital, surrounded by his family. He was the BEST husband, dad, and papa and had the greatest sense of humor.
He was born July 22, 1947, in Mayfield, Kentucky, the son of Edward and Joyce Mae (Hill) West.
Gary was a 1965 graduate of Hazelwood High School and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Southwest Baptist College in 1970. He decided to further his education and earned his Master’s degree in Education from Lincoln University.
He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for four years and continued serving with the Air National Guard for 16 years until his retirement.
On July 11, 1970, Gary married the love of his life, Cheryl June Farris, at Fee Fee Baptist Church in St. Louis Missouri. He loved Cheryl very, very much, making sure that after God, she was his next priority. They celebrated 51 years of marriage in 2021.
Gary spent his career as an art teacher for Hillsboro School District, Eldon School District, and eventually retired after teaching middle school and high school art in the Russellville School District. Many students loved Mr. West and enjoyed seeing him ride his bicycle from the high school to the middle school every day.
After his retirement from teaching, he got a little restless so he decided to work for the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole for 5 years before finally, truly, retiring.
Gary and Cheryl have been members of Russellville Baptist Church for 42 years. To see their children and grandchildren have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ was of utmost importance. Gary enjoyed reading, tinkering around the house, fishing, and watching Wheel of Fortune, the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs. His favorite thing to do was to sit on the deck with a hot cup of coffee, in the sunshine, on a nice fall day. But above all, he loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and his two sweet pups Sam and Gigi.
Survivors include his wife, Cheryl West, Jefferson City; three children, Jennifer West, Scott (Shanna) West, Julie West, all of Jefferson City; five grandchildren, Sierra Call, Silas Call, Kaylee West, Matthew West, Lillian West; and two siblings, Janet (Richard) Hurtgen, Chillicothe; and Beverly Milburn, Jefferson City; brother-in-law Ron (Jeanna) Farris, Hazelwood; sister-in-law Karen (Jim) O’Farrell, Russellville; sister-in-law Judy (Joe) Lee, Melbourne, FL; as well as several much-loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Ed West, mother Joyce West, mother-in-law Wanda Farris, father-in-law Virgle Farris, and niece Sandy Enke.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 12 Noon on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Russellville Baptist Church in Russellville. Funeral service will follow at Noon with Pastor Rusty Kuhns officiating. We ask that attendees please wear a mask out of respect for immune-compromised family members.
Burial with military honors will be in Enloe Cemetery in Russellville.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the American Cancer Society.
Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Homes in Russellville is in charge of the arrangements.
“The shell is here, but the nut has gone home.”-Gary West, our dad, husband, papa, and brother.
He was born July 22, 1947, in Mayfield, Kentucky, the son of Edward and Joyce Mae (Hill) West.
Gary was a 1965 graduate of Hazelwood High School and received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from Southwest Baptist College in 1970. He decided to further his education and earned his Master’s degree in Education from Lincoln University.
He proudly served his country in the United States Air Force for four years and continued serving with the Air National Guard for 16 years until his retirement.
On July 11, 1970, Gary married the love of his life, Cheryl June Farris, at Fee Fee Baptist Church in St. Louis Missouri. He loved Cheryl very, very much, making sure that after God, she was his next priority. They celebrated 51 years of marriage in 2021.
Gary spent his career as an art teacher for Hillsboro School District, Eldon School District, and eventually retired after teaching middle school and high school art in the Russellville School District. Many students loved Mr. West and enjoyed seeing him ride his bicycle from the high school to the middle school every day.
After his retirement from teaching, he got a little restless so he decided to work for the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole for 5 years before finally, truly, retiring.
Gary and Cheryl have been members of Russellville Baptist Church for 42 years. To see their children and grandchildren have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ was of utmost importance. Gary enjoyed reading, tinkering around the house, fishing, and watching Wheel of Fortune, the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Chiefs. His favorite thing to do was to sit on the deck with a hot cup of coffee, in the sunshine, on a nice fall day. But above all, he loved spending time with his wife, children, grandchildren, and his two sweet pups Sam and Gigi.
Survivors include his wife, Cheryl West, Jefferson City; three children, Jennifer West, Scott (Shanna) West, Julie West, all of Jefferson City; five grandchildren, Sierra Call, Silas Call, Kaylee West, Matthew West, Lillian West; and two siblings, Janet (Richard) Hurtgen, Chillicothe; and Beverly Milburn, Jefferson City; brother-in-law Ron (Jeanna) Farris, Hazelwood; sister-in-law Karen (Jim) O’Farrell, Russellville; sister-in-law Judy (Joe) Lee, Melbourne, FL; as well as several much-loved nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.
He was preceded in death by his father Ed West, mother Joyce West, mother-in-law Wanda Farris, father-in-law Virgle Farris, and niece Sandy Enke.
Visitation will be 10 a.m. to 12 Noon on Saturday, January 22, 2022, at Russellville Baptist Church in Russellville. Funeral service will follow at Noon with Pastor Rusty Kuhns officiating. We ask that attendees please wear a mask out of respect for immune-compromised family members.
Burial with military honors will be in Enloe Cemetery in Russellville.
Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or to the American Cancer Society.
Scrivner-Morrow Funeral Homes in Russellville is in charge of the arrangements.
“The shell is here, but the nut has gone home.”-Gary West, our dad, husband, papa, and brother.
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In seventh grade art, I remember a group of us were working at a table. Mr. West called us out for talking too loud. Then, he highlighted the fact that we all looked at a certain student when we were reprimanded. He noted that he had been watching the table, and that student was certainly not the only one talking. He then explained what scapegoating was. I never forgot that lesson, to be aware that you can blame someone without thinking about it. The reverse is also true. You can blame yourself because a group blames you. If at all possible, review the logic and the evidence before blaming anyone, even yourself. An important lesson. RIP, Gary West Sincerely, Mary Heady
Prayers for Cheryl, Jennifer, Scott and Julie and to all of the grandkids during this difficult time. Hugs Cindy and Shannon Thompson
So sorry for your loss. We don’t understand but we know someone who does.I pray God will give you strength each moment during this time. Much love
Cheryl and family. So sorry to hear of Gary’s passing. Oma Percival.
There are so many memories of Gary…which one do I choose? Gary was always cheerful and busy. He didn’t know a stranger. He was a handyman around the house and never minded learning new things. He was a caretaker of his family and extended loved ones. He was a talented artist and a great art teacher. I remember going on an art field trip to the museum in Kansas City as an adult helper on the bus with his class from Russellville HS. It was great a day for me and his students. I remember he and Bill Kuensting delivering supplies from the P&P warehouse every day or as needed. He was always jolly. I remember when he used to bring the grandkids to work on Friday nights to pick up Cheryl. Most of all I’m thankful he was my friend! Much love to you all right now. May God surround you with his arms of comfort and peace. I know he wouldn’t want you to be unhappy too long. Take comfort in knowing he is with Jesus and the rest of your loved ones and be happy for him. Love and hugs from Linda and Tom Humphrey.
Shanna and family – We are so sorry for your loss. Please let us know if you need anything.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
Please accept our most heartfelt sympathies for your loss… Our thoughts are with you and your family during this difficult time.
West Families, Our hearts & prayers are with you. May the peace of God surround you during this time of sorrow.
So sorry to hear about Gary. My daughter Angela enjoyed so much being in his art class in school. So glad our family got to know yours the years we lived in Russellville. May God gives all of you the peace that passes all understanding. You know Gary is in Heaven & you all get to see him again.
With deepest sympathy Rick and Donna Moeller
Cheryl, you and all of your family have been in our thoughts and prayers since hearing of Gary’s death. My heart breaks for you at this difficult time and the days to come. Fern and Ray Kirchne
Cheryl and family. My thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Lana Kirchner
Lit a candle in memory of Gary Keith West