Andrew Ernest West

Andrew E. (Andy) West, 99, of Briggsdale, CO, passed away on August 20, 2017. He was born June 26, 1918 in Chicago, IL, to James Andrew West and Minnie (Franklin) West. In 1919, the family moved to their homestead 10 miles northeast of Briggsdale. In June, 1934, Andy’s father suddenly passed away, leaving him as the family’s main earner at 15 years old. He moved 5 miles southeast of Briggsdale in 1936. On August 13, 1951, Andy married Merietta Ball. They happily built a life together on their wheat farm southeast of Briggsdale. Andy loved telling a good joke, and was well known as an excellent farmer, avid hunter, baseball player, bowler, pool player, sports fan, and he always enjoyed a good game of cards. The watermelon and cantaloupe he grew were widely regarded as the best in the area. He was a member of the Briggsdale Congregational Church, Briggsdale Lions Club, Briggsdale School Board, Colorado Wheat Board, and the West Greeley Soil Conservation District Board. He was devoted to his family, and is survived by his wife of 66 years, Merietta; daughter, Rita (Donald) Johnston of Grover; son Jim (Deb) West of Waco, TX; grandchildren Deeona, Lyndee, and Jaydee Johnston of Grover, Sara (Isaiah) Nunez of Wolfforth, TX, and Anna and Naomi West of Waco, TX; great-grandchild Isaiah Nunez of Wolfforth, TX; brother Robert (Anita) West of Saratoga, WY; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Wesley (Dorothy) and Harold Alfred (Helen) West, sister Elvira Bird, and sister-in-law Velma West. A celebration of Andy’s life will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, August 25, 2017 at the Evangelical Free Church of Eaton, 1325 3rd Street, Eaton, CO 80615. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made in Andy’s name to the "Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes Fund to Expand Access for Pediatric Diabetes Care” or "Macular Degeneration Research via Bright Focus Foundation” in care of Adamson Life Celebration Home, 2000 47th Avenue, Greeley, CO 80634. To leave condolences with the family visit adamsoncares.com