Jerry Wayne West, 77, passed away on Thursday, April 20, 2023, at North Mississippi Medical  Center in Tupelo, MS.  He was born on December 6, 1945, in Quincy, MS, to William Berry "Bo" West and Annie Mae Adams West Henton.  At the age of 15, he moved to Mobile, AL, and began working with Flaco Construction as a Heavy Equipment Operator.  Over the years, he worked on many highway projects in Alabama and Mississippi and became, according to many that knew him a "master of dirt work."

In 1979, with his young daughter, Risi, about to start school he made the tough decision to "settle down and not keep moving his family from job to job."  Jerry retired from his employer at the time, Newell Construction, and moved his family to Tupelo where they have been ever since.  To support his family, he began working at the Cooper Tire Plant in Tupelo, while continuing to work side jobs doing what he loved by operating heavy machinery such as Backhoes, Bulldozers, Dump Trucks, etc.  Family members recall times he would work a 12-hour night shift at Cooper, only to go and work all day doing dirt work, working himself to exhaustion and later falling asleep at the dinner table once he came home.  During this time, Jerry not only continued his mastery of dirt work, but he also taught himself concrete finishing, and over time became a master of this trade as well.

Jerry's side business became West Backhoe LLC, through which he helped clear lots, pour concrete footers/foundations/sidewalks/ porches/driveways/pool houses/etc. and other services for many of the large homebuilders in the Tupelo and surrounding areas.  Eventually, Jerry retired from Cooper Tire and focused on his concrete and dirt work business.  In his later years, Jerry focused mostly on dirt work and clearing land for others, continuing to do what he loved.

Throughout the years, Jerry enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing cards (he was rarely beaten at Rook), and College Football (specifically Alabama).  He enjoyed restoring classic cars and trucks and spent most of his later years in this hobby.  He also enjoyed spending time with friends and family and talking with others about the Bible and the promise of a Paradise on Earth (Psalm 37:10, 11, 29).

Jerry was a member of the local congregation of Jehovah's Witnesses and had many friendships that have extended for decades.  He had previously looked forward to seeing loved ones resurrected (John 5:28, 29) and now those remaining eagerly look forward to seeing Jerry again in Paradise.

Jerry is survived by his wife of nearly 55 years, Belinda Drapela West; one daughter, Risi (Shannon) Fitzpatrick of Murfreesboro, TN; one grandson, Gavin (Callie) Fitzpatrick of Murfreesboro, TN; two sisters, Regina Nieves and Chandra Adams, both of Houston, TX; and a large number of cousins, nieces, nephews, and life-long friends.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, James Berry West and Bobby Earl West.

Visitation will be on Friday, April 28, 2023, from 5-8pm at Lee Memorial Funeral Home.  The Memorial Service will be held at 2pm on Saturday, April 29, 2023, at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses at 410 Monument Drive, Tupelo, MS 38801.  A brief graveside service will follow at 4pm at Lee Memorial at 5257 Raymond Avenue, Tupelo, MS 38801.

For online condolences and guest registry, please visit www.leememorialonline.com

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