Charles Albert West, Jr.

Charles Albert West Jr. was born to Charles Albert West Sr. and Mary Murphy West on September 12, 1936 in Manhattan, New York, NY. Charlie left this life on April 21, 2016. He was the eldest of four siblings, sister Evelyn Becker Crowell and brother Eric Paul West the aforementioned preceding him in death, only brother Gary Peter West remains. From 1955-1958, Charlie served as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne, 89th ABN FA Battalion as a Fire Direction Controller. He married the lovely Christine Grace Stevenson on December 22, 1956 together they became the parents to 4 sons and 2 daughters and for a brief time they parented 2 foster daughters as well. He took his role as a father very seriously, teaching his children the chain of command. His work career began at 11 years of age including Delivery Boy, Newspaper Boy, Armed Forces, Furniture Mover, Insurance Salesman to name a few. With the steadfast partnership of his wife Chris, he started his own mail contracting business in his early 20s, both Charles West Jr. Trucking Company and Christiana Corporation came under that umbrella. By midlife he and Chris began a storm window and door/home improvement business, with Alpha 1 Construction and later Alpha Company. In the Spring of 1968 he received Jesus Christ as his personal Savior, following a Providential meeting with Pastor Paul Gelatt Jr. and thus began his legacy of faith. He served as a Bus Captain and Driver, a Deacon, and most importantly a 6th Grade Sunday School Teacher in three different fellowships: Saddle Brook Baptist of Saddle Brook, NJ, Brook Hollow Baptist of DeSoto, TX, and Trinity Baptist of Grand Prairie, TX. He did not take the Great Commission lightly. Both in New Jersey and after the miraculous move across country to Texas, his faithfulness to serve the Lord never waned until he took his last breath. As a man of action his servant's heart took form in being a champion for the underdog, always seeing and doing for those in lesser circumstances, and one who literally placed God's Word into countless hands. Though he was not a perfect man, he was perfectly loved by his devoted wife of 59 years, his 6 children and their spouses, his 31 grandchildren, his 16 great grandchildren, his sister and his 2 brothers along with their spouses, his 6 nieces and nephews, and the many friends that encompassed his 79 years. He leaves behind a wife, Christine, who was his everything, as they poured into one another not knowing where he began and she ended. Remaining are his children along with their spouses as follows: Melinda and Dale King, Michael and Brenda West, Matthew and Dianna West, Melissa and David Ogden, Mitchell West, and Mason and Randi West; brother and sister in law: Gary Peter & Susan West. Memorial Services will be held on Tuesday - April 26, 2016 at 2:00 P.M. at Trinity Baptist Church, 2001 W. Pioneer Pkwy., Grand Prairie, TX 75051 with Pastor Steven A. Giordano, officiating.