Ira Earl West

Mr. Ira Earl West, age 88 formerly of DeFuniak Springs, passed away Wednesday, March 20, 2013 in Eufaula, Alabama. He was born October 14, 1924 in Montgomery, Alabama the son of Ira Mann West and Flossie Belle Baird West. After graduating from Electrical Engineer Camp in Perry, Virginia in 1945 and being Honorably discharged from serving his country with the United States Navy in 1946, Mr. West joined the Naval Reserves. He worked for Southern Bell Telephone, Florida Light and Power and he and Gloria Joyce Morris were married in Roanoke, Alabama July 1, 1951. After working with Standard Coffee Company for six years and Liberty National Life Insurance Company for ten years, he opened his own business in Fort Walton Beach, West Insurance Agency which he ran for twenty four years until his retirement. He and his wife then moved to DeFuniak Springs and were members of First Baptist Church. His wife preceded him in death in January of 2003.

Among survivors are his children, Susan Patricia Finch and husband David of Florala; Sandra Jane Sims and husband Bill of Eufaula and Karen Elizabeth Hoehne and husband Ron of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. His grandchildren, Jeff, Jason, Dawn, Joe, Christina, Katrina and Oliver. Ten great grandchildren and his sister Molly Morris also survive.

A time of visitation will be Sunday, March 24, 2013 from 2 until 3 P.M. with the funeral beginning at 3:00 in Jerry Evans Chapel with Reverend Rickie Wilson officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow in the West Family Plot in Hatcher Cemetery in Freeport.