Leroy West Sr.
On Sunday, January 22, 2023, Leroy West Sr., passed away peacefully at his home in Strunk, Ky, surrounded by his family. Leroy was 83, at his bedside were his children Alicia, Leroy Jr, and Rick; Rick’s wife Midori and Leroy’s grandchildren Ashley West and Cole Yancey, Also family friend Connie Walters. Leroy was born June 16, 1939, in Barthell, KY. He was the fifth of six children born to Russell West and Dorothy (Ross) West. In June of 1953 the family moved to Indianapolis and in 1961 Leroy married Wilma Earlene York. Wilma had 5 children from a previous marriage and together they had 3 more. Leroy was a machinist for a tool and dye company before becoming a farmer and moving the family to Salem, IN. in 1968. Where he and his family raised a variety of crops and animals on dairy farms in Washington County. Leroy also drove a school bus for several years for the Salem Schools. In 1982 the family moved back to McCreary County, KY. Where he farmed and drove a school bus. He retired from the McCreary County School District in 1995. He and Wilma enjoyed living on a farm only a stone’s throw from where he lived as a boy. Leroy was a member of the Walnut Grove Christian Church, former McCreary County Republican Chairman, amateur Radio Operator – call sign KI4TMP and member of the Big South Fork Amateur Radio Club. He was active at the local senior center and he enjoyed old western movies. He was also known to spontaneously start singing a silly song when driving the school bus or when the grandkids were around to the delight of the children. His parents, Russell West and Dorothy West; wife, Wilma (York) West; sons, Johnny David Vinson and Doyle Fay Vinson; daughter, Janis Victoria Toleson; brothers, Alvis West and Alford West; and sisters, Gaynell Whitaker and Fayrene West precede him in death. Survivors include his sons, Leroy West, Jr. of Strunk, Kentucky, Ricky Lynn West (Midori) of Sun City Center, Florida, and Jackie Monroe Vinson(Jennifer) of Indianapolis, Indiana; daughters, Alicia Gail Yancey of Strunk, Kentucky and Judy Diane Goldsmith Yarchuk of Indianapolis, Indiana; sister, Betty Rose Rich of Celina, Tennessee; grandchildren, Angela Vinson, Sara Vinson, Desiree Bernardo, Daniel Vinson, David Goldsmith, Danny Goldsmith, Nicole Goldsmith, Shawn Goldsmith, Ashley Miya West, Joseph Russell West, Cole Yancey, Chase Yancey, and Savannah Vinson; 11 great grandchildren; and 1 great-great grandchild. Funeral services were held at 8pm Saturday, January 28, 2023 at the McCreary County Funeral Home with Bro. Alan Coffey officiating. The family received friends after 6pm Saturday at the Funeral Home. Graveside services were helpd at 2pm Sunday at the Ross Grove Cemetery. McCreary County Funeral Home entrusted with the arrangements.
