WEST, David N. 1928-2004

WEST, GARTRELL, DUNCAN, BROWN

Posted By: Jeffrey R. Phillips (email)
Date: 2/7/2004 at 19:57:12

David N. West
By: 02/07/2004

June 23, 1928-February 1, 2004

DALLAS, Texas - David N. West, 75, of Dallas, Texas, formerly of Iowa Falls, died Sunday, Feb. 1, 2004, in Dallas. Private family memorial services will be held in Nebraska at a later date.

David was born June 23, 1928, in Round Mountain, Nev. He was raised in the Tonopah, Nev., area and spent his younger years being a cowboy and riding saddle broncs in the rodeo. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War from 1950-1953, where he was a sergeant in the 630th Engineer L.E. Co. He received the Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Service Star, United Nations Service Medal, Army Occupation Medal (Germany), Meritorious Unit Citation and Honorable Discharge.

After David returned to the United States, he received his master's degree in chemistry. On Dec. 7, 1957, he married Velma Gartrell in Manitou Springs, Colo. David spent his career teaching chemistry at Ellsworth College and for the State of Iowa. Upon retiring, he became a "Gentleman Rancher" in Wellfleet, Neb. David enjoyed woodcarving, calligraphy and writing articles for magazines. In 2002, the couple moved to Dallas. David was a member of the Moose Lodge No. 1331 and Elks Lodge No. 1674, both in Iowa Falls; the American Legion No. 252 in Ackley; South Pueblo Lodge A.F. and A.M. No. 31 in Colorado; Des Moines Consistory A&ASR, and the American Chemical Society.

Survivors include his wife, Velma of Dallas; two daughters, Diana West and Corky Duncan, of Dallas, and Donna West of Victorville, Calif.; one grandson, Joshua Brown; his mother-in-law; three sisters; and one brother. He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, and his father-in-law.
Oak Cliff Funeral Chapel of Dallas is in charge of arrangements.

©Iowa Falls Times-Citizen 2004