Richard Allen West

Richard Allen "Dick" West Richard Allen "Dick" West of Buford GA, a beloved husband, father, brother, grandfather of 6, and great-grandfather of 4, passed away on November 8, 2016 at age 84 after a significant battle with cancer. Dick was born on August 8, 1932 in Sioux City IA to John and Beatrice West. He is preceded in death by his siblings Joyce Ruys and Jack West, and his daughter, Lynette Delerme. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, JoAn, his sister, Marion Deal of St. Petersburg FL, his brother, Lawrence West of Sacramento CA, his daughter, Jeannie Heth (John) of Rock Hill, SC, his sons, Kenneth West of Cumming GA and Gregory West (Michelle) of Lawrenceville GA, his son-in-law, Joseph Delerme of Buford GA, his grandchildren, Jessica Price (Timothy), Joseph Delerme, Jr. (Leah), Courtney Chalk (Kyle), Adam Heth, Madison West, and Sydney West, and his great-grandchildren, Jacob, Gillian, and Tinley Price, and Avery Delerme. At 15 years old, Dick joined the South Dakota National Guard and met the love of his life, JoAn in Mitchell SD shortly thereafter. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in January 1950 and worked around his military duties to marry JoAn on July 18, 1953 (her birthday!). Among those military assignments were flying rescue and medical evacuation missions during the Korean War and serving on the rescue helicopter for Marine One for President Nixon. Dick retired from the USAF in September 1973 and settled in Lilburn, GA where he then served the next 27 years with the U.S. Postal Service. In February 2000, he retired with 53 years of government service and moved to Buford, GA in 2006. Dick's service to his country was, in his opinion, eclipsed by 30 years of sober service in AA, trudging the road of happy destiny with countless souls. Dick's life was based in the Serenity Prayer: living with acceptance of things we cannot change, courage to change the things we can and wisdom to know the difference. One of his favorite quotes was, "The life you have led does not have to be the only life you have," and many will remember his regularly saying, "This, too, shall pass" (in good times and bad) for years to come. When asked how he remained happily married for 63 years, Dick responded, "Never question your wife's judgment. Look who she married!" The family will receive visitors on Thursday, November 10, from 5 - 8 PM at Flanigan Funeral Home. The Funeral mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 11 at Prince of Peace Catholic Church, 6439 Spout Springs Rd, Flowery Branch GA with Father Carlos Cifuentes officiating. Inurnment will follow at 4 PM at White Chapel Memorial Gardens and Mausoleum, 1832 Pleasant Hill Rd, Duluth GA with Military Honors. In lieu of flowers, charitable donations can be made and sent online to The Lung Cancer Foundation of America (www.lcfamerica.org).