On Lake George
North Queensbury Fire Co.
On Lake George
IN Memoriam
Vernon C. West --- March 23, 1915 – March 6, 2008
Vernon was a charter member of the North Queensbury Volunteer Fire Company. He was elected Director at the first official meeting held at the old schoolhouse on Ridge Road on October 24, 1948 and served many years as an active firefighter and officer of the Company.
He served in the United States Army during World War II as a medic in the 398th Infantry, 100th Division and was decorated for his services in combat zones in France & Germany. After returning home he built homes in the Lake George/Cleverdale area. Vernon and his dad, Clarence West, built the family home on Seelye Road in Rockhurst. In 1998, when it became obvious Vernon and Dorothy could not live alone anymore, Stephen and Marcia Heyer (step-son and DIL) moved both of them to Mesa, Arizona. Stephen and Marcia's oldest son, Steve, is a full time fireman in Mesa, AZ. Three years later, after Dorothy died, Vernon came to live with Leo and Linda Smith (his SIL and daughter) for six years in Texas and most recently in Missouri. Vernon passed away March 6, 2008.
| West, Vernon Clarence |
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HERMITAGE, Mo. Vernon Clarence West, 92, of Hermitage, Mo., passed away
Thursday, March 6, 2008, at The Lake Regional Hospital in Osage Beach, Mo.
He was born March 23, 1915, in Fort Ann, N.Y., to Clarence and Clara
(Jackson) West. Vernon graduated from Fort Ann High School in 1932. He was
united in marriage to Alice Seelye, Dec. 20, 1941. Vernon served in the U.S.
Army during World War II as a member of the Medical Detachment 398th
Infantry 100th Division. Trained as a medic, he entered the combat zone in
mid-November 1944, in the Vosges Mountains of northeast France. He and his
fellow soldiers pursued elements of the German 1st Army through the Low
Vosges to the Maginot Line. He participated in the Seventh Army's drive into
Germany in March 1945, with the seizure of Bitche, a heavily-fortified town
in the Low Vosges Mountains. The 398th Infantry won a Presidential Unit
Citation there. The entire Division became known as "The Sons of Bitche."
Vernon also helped the wounded in one of the last major battles of World War
II in Europe with the assault river crossing of the Neckar River at
Heilbronn in April 1945. Vernon was profoundly affected by these events and
maintained a lifelong relationship with those who served with him. He was
awarded the Bronze Star. After returning home, Vernon worked as a carpenter
for many years, building homes in the Lake George, N.Y. area. He was also a
charter member of the North Queensbury Fire Department. Vernon West is
survived by his son-in-law and daughter, Leo and Linda Smith of Hermitage,
Mo., with whom he lived in Texas and Missouri. He is also survived by his
stepson and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Marcia Heyer of Mesa, Ariz.; a
daughter, Claire Mitchell of Rochester, Minn.; and a brother and
sister-in-law, Gerald and Laula West of Fort Edward, N.Y. There are four
grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his
first wife, Alice and second wife, Dorothy; his sister, Thelma Stark of Fort
Ann, and both parents. Crematory services were supervised by
Hathaway-Peterman of Wheatland, Mo. Burial will take place in Fort Ann, N.Y. |
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