Obituary of Alton West

Alton "Spike" and Margaret West welcomed their son, Alton B. "Al" West, Jr., into this world on September 19, 1920. Weighing only 1 ½ pounds at birth, Al was brought home in a shoe box. He survived to become an accomplished swimmer, expert marksman (hitting targets from a horse at full gallop), billiards/pool shark, master at the Yo-Yo, exceptional domino and horseshoe player, chess, bridge and poker aficionado. Al passed away peacefully into the arms of the Lord, Wednesday, August 17, 2011 at the age of 90. He was as tough as his father, Spike West. He grew to a whopping 5'4", just tall enough to volunteer and be accepted into the Army/Air Force in WWII. As a non-commissioned officer, he proudly served his country for over 4 ½ years as a squadron supply sergeant, surviving Malaria in the jungles of New Guinea. He became quite the sketch artist with renderings of New Guinea natives and World War II bombers. He also entertained his many friends and family with his drawings of Popeye, Wimpy and Olive Oyl. Upon his return to the states, he met Jewell Sylvia (she was a real dilly) and he knew he would marry her immediately, love at first sight! They spent over 61 years together, laughing, loving, raising their family and enjoying life to the fullest. Jewell preceded him in death in 2007. With Spike (who was the reputed inventor of the Frito Chili Pie), Al opened the first Grapette Bottling Plant west of the Mississippi River in the '50's producing Grapette, Orangette, Lemonette and Limette drinks. He was truly a born salesman, always had a smile. He was a top salesman for Tayloe Paper, Bama Pie and Home Service Club where he sold over 1,000 memberships, an all time record. In the early '60's with Jewell by his side, they ran the 24 hour/day Pines Drive-In during the heyday of Rock and Roll, Bobby Rydell was one of their first customers. A 32 degree mason, Al was a life member of Blue Lodge 71 and the Scottish Rite Society of Oklahoma. Al touched many, many lives in this 90 plus years. He will always be remembered as a man of dreams, very giving, loving and kind to all who knew him. Al leaves behind 2 sons, Alan B. West and his wife, Robyn and Al West, III, all of Tulsa; granddaughters, Lindsey and her husband, Rick, Mary Jewell, Whitney and Becca as well as 3 All American great grandsons, Brennon, Camdyn and Corbyn. Friends are invited to a Celebration of Life of this simple man which will be held at the graveside by his family at Memorial Park Cemetery 2:00 P.M. Monday, August 22, 2011, with services entrusted as always to Ninde Funeral Directors. The family would like to thank the staffs of both Burgundy Place and Grace Living Center for all their loving care and concern.