Frank H. West
January 3, 1928 - October 1, 2006
Obituary
Frank Harry WEST
Died October 1, 2006 in Auburn, WA. Born January 3, 1928 Worcester, MA to Joseph and Grace Beadell West. Frank was raised in Easton, PA.
He was a veteran of the US Navy and served in both WWII and the Korean War. He has lived in Seattle since 1951. Frank spent 12 years as owner/operator with Standard/Chevron Oil and 26 years at NW Airlines at SeaTac and retiring in 1990.
Survived by his loving wife of 54 years, Myrtle Mert Lange West; daughters Georgia “daughter #1” Bob Bailey and their children Grant and Leslie; Gloria “daughter #2” Ed Plumlee and their children Courtney, Jessica and Andrew; Sharon “daughter #3” Dave West; Susie “daughter #4” Paul Minkiewitz and her children Laura and Thomas; son Joe favorite daughter-in-law Sheri West; Sister Dottie Earl Woolf of Phillipsburg, NJ. Also innumerable other family members and friends
Preceded in death by his parents; sister Bette Smith Jack and son-in-law Mark Minkiewitz.
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“Always Kiss Me Goodnight, I Love You”
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Services will be held 10:00 AM, Wednesday, October 11 at Bonney-Watson Parker Chapel 900 SW 146th St., Burien, WA. Internment at 1:30 PM at Tahoma National Cemetery 18600 SE 240th St, Kent, WA. In lieu of flowers remembrances to American Cancer Society, 728 134th St SW Suite 101 Everett, WA 98204-1140.
Frank Harry West
Was born January 3rd, 1928 in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was welcomed by his older sister Betty, then joined by younger sister Dottie. He was nicknamed “sunny” by his big sister who thought his golden hair looked like the sun coming up. After loosing his father at a young age the family moved often, finally settling in Easton, Pennsylvania. Frank soon took his first job setting pins in the local bowling alley. This was followed by a long string of jobs including life guarding on the Delaware River and machinist at the silk mill. He then joined the Navy at seventeen. He spent his time in the Navy as a store clerk in Supac Bay, Philippines. In 1950, coming from Philadelphia by train he met Mert, who got on board in Valley City, North Dakota. He spent five months in Kodiak, Alaska before being discharged from the Navy. He then returned to Seattle.
On January 19th, 1952 Mert and Frank were married by the Justice of Peace in Seattle. They lived with Bob and Phyllis Lange on Capital Hill. Later that year he started with Standard Oil. He operated and owned the Five Corners Chevron from 1959 to 1964. In September, 1964 he went to work at Northwest Airlines at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, working in Cargo and Air Freight. He retired in 1990 after 26 years, taking with him many memories and good friends. Working at Northwest Airlines gave Mert, Frank and the family the opportunity to do lots of traveling. Hawaii was a favorite destination, for them as well as their traveling companions the Berwalds.
They bought their first house in October, 1953 in Gregory Heights. Four daughters were born while living in this two bedroom house, until July, 1959, when they worked to build a four bedroom home in DeLauro Heights. In 1961, a son was born to round out the family and give Frank some support. That was the family home for 34 years, as the house filled with son-in-laws, a daughter-in-law, some significant others, and seven grandchildren. Upon retirement and the third runway encroaching, they moved to Scott Lake, next door to lifelong friends Dick and Pat Kubicek. When the two to three hour drive to visit family became too much, they moved to Auburn in 2004. Many friends and friendships were formed in all of these neighborhoods in their 54 years. Upon retirement, Frank kept himself out of trouble by finding a purpose for every scrap of wood he found. There are innumerable whirly-gigs, swings, toy chests, road runners, and assorted other wood crafts around to represent his handy works.
Mert and the family would like to thank everyone for prayers, thoughts, hugs, and kindness at this time.
Frank was a great dad to his children and grandchildren other friends and family. He and Mert certainly helped to form the goodness in their children, there are few families with such good and helpful kids that the Wests had. I too was the recipient of many of his creative wood projects he made including a swing which is really nice. He was always ready with a smile and hug and welcomed me into their family get togethers.I feel lucky to have known Frank and good thoughts and memories will always be a part of Frank West. So to Mert and family if to know good memories are left from Frank’s life hopefully that is some comfort, and to you Frank you did a good job. Thanks for being you……..
I have known Frank for over 50 years. He was a devoted husband and great father. The world has losta great person and a loyal friend. God bless.
Mert West and family –
We hope it will ease your sadness if you know that Frank will be greatly missed by all of his friends, and that we share in your sorrow.
Our condolences to all of your family on losing Frank. You have many good memories of a fine person, as do all of us who have known him. We’ll miss him, too. Much love, B & B
Just wanted you to know that I am thinking of you in your time of need.
Our condolences to the family on the loss of Frank. You have our deepest sympathy. Our thoughts & prayers are with you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time.
I remember quite a few scout trips Mr. West and Joe went on with the troop. My sympathy is with you all.
Tom Goff
To the West Family
Our thoughts are with all of your family. Your dad will be missed by all. Our love and support will be here for you. Love Carman, Olivia & Ophelia
Dear Mert and Family:
Our deepest sympathy to you all. The years we have known you have been long and even though after we moved from Burien we did not get together much, you are often in our thoughts. Frank was a fine man and will be missed by all who knew him. Our thoughts are with you, Mert,
with love, Dot and Lyle
Dear West Family,
Having been a neighbor and friend, I wish to express my profound sympathy at the loss of Frank. Although a loving consolation reminds us that now he is in the arms of his creator, and he has returned home…he will still be missed by all.
Thank you Frank, for the many,loving years of friendship you and your family has given my family
The Bert Gores
You Myrtle and your family are in our prayers.
Dear Mert and all,
I pray every day that you will find solace and consolation knowing that Frank is remembered fondly by innumerable friends. I know that I will think of him often, as long as I have a memory. God bless all of you, and take care of yourselves.
Dear Mert,
So sorry to hear that Frank passed away. I remember what wonderful neighbors you and Frank were to me. I recall many fond memories of pickleball, Christmas, children growing up together in our neighborhood. Please know my thoughts are with you, please take care.
Sincerely,
Becky Miller
To my Aunt Mert and all of my cousins, I will miss Uncle Frank along with you! I am thankful for the many trips made to ND by Mert & Frank. And that we had the opportunity to get together out in Seattle just a few years ago. I know what a close family you are and it comforts me to know that you all have each other along with the many memories of your husband and father. Celebrate his life whenever you can!!
I love you all and so does our awesome God!
Terri