Charles West's Obituary
Charles Edison West, 92, of Charlotte, went to be with his Lord on July 20, 2013 at his home surrounded by his family. Mr. West was born on May 30, 1921 in Concord, NC to Charles Cooper and Mary Lee Huffstetler West. He was the youngest of 3 children, having two sisters who preceded him in death.
Mr. West served with pride in the U.S. Navy during WWII aboard an LST ship in the South Pacific. After the war ended, he returned home and started a career in the printing industry, becoming part-owner in a printing and office supply company, The Charles Co. In 1971, he started his second career for the U.S. Treasury Department at the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in Washington, D.C. He advanced to the position of foreman overseeing the printing of paper money before retiring after 20 years of service. Never one to actually “retire,” Mr. West, being an avid golfer himself, worked part-time at several area golf courses.
Mr. West started life as a Presbyterian, but after his family moved to the Croft community from Concord, he started attending Independence Hill Baptist Church in 1937. He became a member in 1962 and faithfully served the church in many capacities from Chairman of the Deacons to Choir Director. He was a member of the C.P. Kelley Sunday School class and also a member of the VFW-Croft Post.
On Christmas Day 1942, on leave from the Navy, Mr. West married his childhood sweetheart, Ruby Cashion West. They were blessed with three daughters and enjoyed 63 years of marriage before Ruby passed on December 27, 2005.
Mr. West is survived by his daughters, Shelby (CN) Taylor, Sandy (John) Leary and Darlene (Ron) Gray, all of Charlotte; 8 grandchildren, Shane (Maria) Stetler, Noelle (Chad) LeBlanc, Ashley (Tommy) Lloyd, Katy (Lee) Hannibal, Stephanie (Anthony) Marshall, Justin Alva, Shannon Alva, and Chelsea (Zach) Stancil; 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild, and many nieces and nephews.
A service to celebrate the life of Mr. West will be held at Independence Hill Baptist Church at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, July 22, 2013, with the Reverend Todd Marlin officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery. Viewing will be available one hour prior to the service with the family receiving friends at an “ice cream social” (his favorite dessert) after interment.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Independence Hill Baptist Church building fund, 10220 Independence Hill Rd., Huntersville NC 28078 or Hospice of Lake Norman, 1420 East Seventh St., Charlotte, NC 28204.
The family wishes to thank Hospice of Lake Norman for their loving care of our father.
James Funeral Home of Huntersville is serving the family. www.jamesfuneralhomeLKN.com
What’s your fondest memory of Charles?
What’s a lesson you learned from Charles?
Share a story where Charles' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Charles you’ll never forget.
How did Charles make you smile?