George Wesley West

Anchorage resident George Wesley West, 73, died Jan. 19, 2012, from complications from a heart condition at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

A viewing is at 11 a.m., and funeral service at noon, Jan. 27, at Anchorage Baptist Church, 6401 E. Northern Lights Blvd. After the service, George will be buried at 2 p.m. at Fort Richardson Cemetery with Military Honors. For questions, call Charlene at (907) 441-0632.

George was born Oct. 18, 1938, in Philadelphia, Pa., and moved to Anchorage in 1971. George served in the Navy for three years and another 37 as a civil service machinist. He worked at the Metal Tech Shop 3rd Equipment Maintenance Squadron at Elmendorf Air Force Base, where he retired Oct. 30, 2009. George had the distinction of being Civilian of the Year and received commendation at the Pentagon in 1987 for that honor. He also received multiple letters of accolade and appreciation from various colonels and lieutenant colonels for his efforts.

George played the piano and enjoyed the outdoors. He especially loved to hunt and fish. He was a craftsman with woodworking and metal fabrication. George truly loved spending time and telling stories to his grandchildren.

His family wrote, "He loved the lord with all his heart as well as his sweetheart, Gail, for the 52 years they spent together. He was the ultimate storyteller of his life experiences. Our father was a patriot, serving his country with pride and love. Dad was a master craftsman with his hands. His grandpa skills made him No. 1 to all his grandchildren. Dad's laugh was also contagious, his sense of humor and quick wit never stopped. Dad loved to eat, and mom's cooking was his favorite. Mom says that he was the best hand-holder in the world. If he had a fault it was that he hated to comb his hair. Overall, he was a good, kind and loving man."

Preceding him in death was his mother, Sarah Katherine West, and his father, George Lewllyn West.

Surviving are his loving wife of 52 years, Gail West of Anchorage; sons, George William West and his wife Barbara of Palmer; and Robert Culver West and his wife Iris of Wasilla; daughters, Charlene Rene Ehm and her husband Kevin of Anchorage; and Michelle Marie Hansen and her fiancé Andrew Corser of Orlando, Fla.; grandchildren, Jonathan, Jennifer and Krystal Ehm, also Lydia, Jacob and Michelle West, and Branden Sparkman, Michael Posciri, and Patrick Corser; great-grandchildren, Emily, Sean, Noah and Maisie Dean, Gianna Ehm, and Ember West, Giovanni and Quency Posciri.

Anchorage Funeral Home cared for the family.