Obituary - George West

George Warner West, 83, slipped into eternal peace to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and his loving wife and partner, Goldie Lee, on Tuesday, January 4, 2011. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Friday, January 7, 2011 at the Atkinson Chapel in Adrian, MO. Visitation will be held from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Thursday, January 6 at the chapel. Burial will be in Crescent Hill Cemetery, Adrian. Memorial contributions may be made to Crossroads Hospice or Adrian Fire Department.

The 5th child of Emma Louise and Adna Vinsel West, George was born June 16, 1927 in Kansas City, KS. He grew up in Rosedale on the Southwest Boulevard in Kansas City, KS. He attended Rosedale High School. George enjoyed the social side of school but didn’t have much need for the academics. His real education came from being around and working with the people of the “Boulevard”. Herb Quick and Tony Seilman took him under their wings and taught him the skills and art of Bar-B-Que. His fondness for Bar-B-Que was with him his entire life.


George was a World War II Navy veteran who came back after the war to carpentry jobs and tending bar where he met the love of his life, Goldie Lee Anderson, who inspired him so much to do better with his life that he finished and passed his G.E.D. and went on to higher education with the Finney School of Mines. This led him to a job with the Missouri Department of Transportation where he worked his entire career retiring in the early 1990’s.


George and Goldie loved the rural life so much that they bought a small farm near Adrian, MO in the early 1960’s. Raising cattle, growing good hay, working for MoDOT, hunting and fishing, socializing with his many friends and loving Goldie Lee was his life. They had no children themselves but loved the many children they came in contact with. George had a particular knack for inspiring and guiding young men to strive and do better with their lives. He was tough and demanding but always with a purpose. His presence and council will be greatly missed by many. George was a member of the Catholic Church.


He was preceded in death by his wife, Goldie Lee, his parents, Emma and Adna West, one brother, Bud, and three sisters, Pauline, Phyllis and Imogene. He is survived by a sister, Florene, of Pratt, KS and a brother, Frederick, of Adrian, MO and many nieces and nephews.


Atkinson Funeral Home
142 East Main St.
Adrian, Mo. 64720
(816) 297-2211