Frank Edward West

Frank Edward West, born Sept. 3, 1940 passed away July 10, 2024 in his home. He is preceded in death by his parents, M. Lloyd and Ella (Teal) West, and two of his brothers David & Alan West. Frank is survived by his brother Neil West, wife of 64 years Leora West, their 4 adult children; Julene West, Duane (Cathe) West, Karen (Eric) Foster, and Darin (Tammy) West, 11 grandchildren Maria (Emery) Horn, Joshua West, Sam West, Ben (Cody) West, Micah West, Jonathan Foster, Timothy Foster, Isaac Foster, Zach West, David West, Cameron Elsasser, and 2 great grandchildren; Kaylee Horn and Ivan West.

A funeral service will be held July 27th at 10:30 am at Weddle’s Funeral Home chapel at 1777 N. 3rd Ave., Stayton, Oregon. All are welcome. Please RSVP to Karen Foster (360) 908-4327.

Born and raised in Eureka Montana, Frank grew up with a strong work ethic developed on the family ranch. This penchant for hard work followed him throughout his education, career, and family life.

In 1958, after graduating from Lincoln County High School where he played football, basketball, served in student government, and was selected Student of the Year, he went on to graduate from what is now known as Northwest University in Kirkland Washington. He met and married his wife Leora there. Together they started their family and ventured off to Glasgo, MT to begin what became a 42 year long career of teaching in various locations. The bulk of his teaching career was at Cascade Jr. High in Turner, Oregon where he taught English and History. Along the way he discovered a love for teaching Driver’s Ed and went on to impact Oregon State Laws for new drivers.

Not only did he teach full time, he worked as a referee for both basketball and football in the Northwest region, drove commercial semi truck during the summers, and even sold Encyclopedias door to door! His drive to work hard meant he always had more than one job.

In addition to his career and side jobs, he also worked hard at home with building projects, falling trees to supply wood for heat, coordinating family needs with his faithful, hard working wife, leading his family in a children’s gospel ministry, teaching Sunday School, and helping others in the community with whatever needed doing. With reverent admiration some of his grandsons affectionately refer to him as a “Beast”; a term of great respect for the legend of a man who was still falling trees and splitting wood at 80 years of age!

When asked to describe Frank people have said: “Thoughtful, hard worker, thorough, helpful, kind, spiritual, dedicated, handsome, skilled orator, gracious, good listener, and that he had a way of making others feel special and acknowledged.” With a warm smile and an infectious laugh, he was quick to praise and slow to criticize.

His personal delights included traveling with his wife in their motorhome, watching whales on the Oregon Coast, harvesting his amazing vegetable garden, maintaining a perfectly lush lawn, working in his shop, playing & teaching Pickleball, spending time with family, connecting with his grandchildren, putting up an epic display of Christmas lights, and of course, he enjoyed a bowl of good ice cream! Ever the student, he loved learning new things… except technology. He preferred the old school way of doing things.

Anyone who knew him knew he loved the Lord. His faith was not a matter of religion, it was the foundation of how he lived his life and what secured his eternity. It was his heart’s desire that all people come to know Christ and His great love.

Respected and adored by many he will be sorely missed, especially by his family.