Donald J West
September 19, 1919 - January 8, 2009
Obituary
Donald J. West passed away on January 8, 2009 in Seattle at age 89 after a short illness. He was born in Seattle on September 19, 1919 and lived and worked his entire life in Seattle. He grew up on Capitol Hill and attended Seattle Prep ’37 and Seattle University ’41. He married Lois Eisen on August 21, 1943, and then served in WWII with Merrill’s Marauders in both Burma and China. Don purchased Arnold Dental Supply Co. in 1962, a family business until its sale in 1993, and he kept working well into his 80s. Nothing mattered to Don more than his family, particularly annual vacations in Kauai, summers on Camano Island and weekend coffees with his family. He was the patriarch of his family, a devout Catholic, and fascinated by politics and the stock market. He was unfailingly kind and loyal to family, friends and everyone he came in touch with and always lived his life with boundless optimism, quick wit and good humor. He was preceded in his death by his brother Charles and his sisters Adele and Lou. The love of his life, Lois, died in 1999, but he was devoted to her spirit well after her passing. He is survived by his only child and best friend, Steve Mary, his sister Rosemarie Butler of Seward Park, his loving grandchildren Nick West Stephanie, Liz Taylor Matt, and Paul West Rica, his great-granddaughter Gabrielle Grace, several nieces and nephews and many other extended family members. Funeral services will be held at St. Bridget Church in Seattle on Wednesday, January 14th at 10:30 am.
Viewing at Bonney Watson Funeral Home, 1732 Broadway, Seattle. For more information or to sign the guest book go to www.bonneywatson.com
a mass will be offered in memory of Don at saint monica church on Feb 15th at 5:30pm.
Thanks everyone for your memories of Don! His obituary is on the Seattle Times online and in print today Sunday and should be available for some time online. There is a guestbook via that site as well.
Uncle Don,
It seems just like yesterday I was having lunch with you and mom. It did not surprise me when you introduced me to our waiter who seemed to know you so well. It was all because of who you are; a person who was always outgoing and personable to everyone in your path.
You will be so missed but your character and goodness will live with us forever.
Lovingly,
Lori
I will miss you immensely, dear brother, especially our nightly phone calls. I will miss your entertaining stories and all of our moments of laughter together. Our ‘get together’ luncheons were always very special events because I was able to spend time together with you.
Love your sister, RoseMarie.
Uncle Don,
Oh you will be so greatly missed. I am so lucky to have such wonderful memories to cherish. I will always remember yearly family reunions at your summer home on Camano Island especially when you would sneak food that Aunt Lois did not want you eating. She would scold you and then you would wink and smile and when she was not looking you were right back at it.
Thank you so much for being such a special part of our lives. I will miss you always.
Forever your neice,
Carol Joe and Courtney