Gary Ronald West, 86, of Central Point and Jacksonville Oregon, passed away on February 21, surrounded by his loving family. Gary was born in Medford, Oregon to Fred R. West and Ethel (Pursel) West. He graduated from Jacksonville High school in 1957 and became a Journeyman Meat Cutter in 1959.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dee Ann (Clark) West, and their four children: Andrea Cook (Stan) Sesar, Whitney Murdoch, Tori (Matt) Bostwick, Gary Jr. (Kendra) West. Gary was Poppa to 10 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.

In 1965, Gary and Dee started Gary West Meats in Jacksonville and soon added Sausage & Jerky kitchens, then an additional shipping facility in Central Point. They shipped Jerky to over 30,000 mail order customers plus national accounts including Cabela’s, Bass Pro, Disneyland, Disney World, Hickory Farms and others. Gary and Dee retired and sold the business in 2003. Gary then built and remodeled rentals, building his last 16-unit apartment house at age 80.

Gary served on the board of the Medford Irrigation district for 17 years and was chairman 3 times. He was an avid sportsman and loved team roping with his son and roping horses, fishing, hunting, and driving his side-by-side in the desert. Gary and his family loved their cabin and friends at Rocky Point on Klamath Lake and he kept a boat on the Oregon coast at Brookings for some years.

Gary was a member of both Sacred Heart and Shepherd of the Valley Catholic Church. He was preceded in death by his parents Fred and Ethel West and Sister Colista Bailey. He lived life to the fullest. The family wants to thank the care team for the wonderful care he received in the Cardiovascular ICU at Asante Rogue Regional.

A Memorial Funeral service was held at Shepherd of the Valley Catholic on Friday, March 28th. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to St. Vincent de Paul, P.O. BOX 1663, Medford, OR 97501.