Don Lamar West

Don Lamar West, 89, of Albany, GA passed away, Friday, February 18, 2022 at his residence. Memorial services will be conducted Thursday, February 24, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. at Mathews Funeral Home. Rev. Debbie Cone will officiate.

Born in Miller County, Mr. West graduated from Miller County High School in Colquitt, GA. He attended Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton and went on to the University of Georgia to graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture. 

He served in the Army Security Agency for three years and was stationed in Okinawa. Following that, he taught Agriculture at Albany High School for one year before returning to the University of Georgia to earn a master's degree in Education. He then became General Manager of Haley Farms where he worked for 30 years. He was an active member of Georgia Farm Bureau and the Georgia Pecan Growers Association. 

Mr. West attended Westminster Presbyterian Church for years where he served as both an elder and deacon. He later joined Avalon United Methodist Church, attending since 1996. He enjoyed singing in the church choir, hunting and fishing, and his main passion was flying. He had a commercial pilot's license with instrument and multi-engine rating.

Mr. West was preceded in death by his parents, John W. West and Martha Hodges West, and his siblings, Carlton West, Bob West, Lawrence West, Al West, Ruby West Johnson, Theo West, Dixie West Baker, Buford West, Nita West Neal, Ray West and Max West.

Survivors include his wife, Beth Wimberly West, Albany, GA, daughters, Kathy West Sheffield and her husband Steve, St. Simons Island, GA, Jenni West Bode and her husband, Jim, Albany, GA, grandchildren, Rebecca Sheffield Turner and her husband, Andrew, St. Simons Island, GA,  James Andrew Bode, Jr., Albany, GA and great-grandchildren, Mary West Turner, Millie Jane Turner and Margaret Drew Turner.

In lieu of flowers those desiring may make memorials in memory of Don Lamar West to Avalon United Methodist Church, 3018 Gillionville Road, Albany, GA, 31721. 

The family will receive friends at Mathews Funeral Home following services.