Obituary of Gary Thomas West
Gary Thomas West, age 71, of Clio, died Thursday, September 7, 2017. The funeral service will take place 11:00 am, Tuesday, September 12, 2017, at the Central Church of the Nazarene, 1261 W. Bristol Rd. in Flint, Rev. Steve Anthony to officiate with burial to follow at Woodlawn Cemetery. Gary’s family will receive friends at the Martin Funeral, Cremation & Tribute Services in Mt. Morris on Monday from 2:00 pm until 8:00 pm; on Tuesday morning, Gary will be taken to church to lie in state from 10:00 am until the time of service at 11:00 am. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial contributions to the Central Church of the Nazarene hurricane relief fund. Envelopes are available at the funeral home and church.
Gary was born October 5, 1945, in Flint, the son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Herbert B. and Leah L. (Donigan) West. He graduated from Mt. Morris High School, class of 1963. From there, he would start his education at Spring Arbor University, but went home to work with the family business of West and Sons Excavating. He and Penny Schafer were united in marriage on June 8, 1968, in Port Huron. He then worked as a car hauler and a motor coach driver, then went back to Spring Arbor and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Management of Human Resources in 1993. His degree led him to work for the Mt. Clemens, Howell and Davison school districts for many years. Most recently he was the Transportation Administrator for the Genesee Intermediate School District for 14 years, retiring in 2014. After retiring, he opened Innovative Transportation Solutions to certify bus drivers in caring for disabled children in the State of Michigan. He served on the Mt. Morris School Board for 21 years and was a member of the Genesee County Association of School Board Members where he served as president for both boards for many years. He was the founding president of the Waterbrook Christian Academy in Flint and served as president of the Dutchman’s Landing Condo Association for the last 13 years. Gary had his private pilot’s license and enjoyed traveling. He and his wife had visited all 50 states, all 5 maritime provinces in Canada and also Mexico. He served on mission trips in Russia, South Africa and Haiti. In his spare time, he had served as a Cubmaster for pack #155 in Mt. Morris. He also enjoyed woodworking, fishing, supporting his grandkids at sporting and music events, and collecting trains. He was an amateur videographer and an avid U of M fan. He was a true family man; a loving husband, father, and grandfather.
Left to cherish his memory, wife of 49 years Penny; daughter Karen (Jeremy) Aiello; granddaughter Kami Lee, and grandson Connor Thomas; two brothers: Robert (Inez) West, and Harold West; brother-in-law Jack (Jojean) Schafer; many other family members, “adopted children” and friends.
Gary was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, and three sisters-in-law.
Gary’s family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Todd Koelling, and the team at U of M Hospital for giving them an extra 19 years of memories.