Jack R. West

ALPHARETTA, GA * John (Jack) Richard West, 88, died peacefully at his home in Alpharetta, GA on January 8, 2016. Born on July 9, 1927, in Muscatine, Iowa, he was the son of Liscus E. and Viola (Fischer) West. The word most used by friends and family when describing Jack was: "Honest". Jack's family moved to Arizona in 1932 where he graduated from Amphitheater High School. While in AZ, he developed a passion for horses and pursued his desire to train Quarter Horses for racing. In 1948, Jack moved to Lake Luzerne, NY where he was employed by Alan & Myrtle Mitcheltree at Hidden Valley Ranch. Jack worked his way up to become the barn foreman, a job he held until 1970 and was looked upon as not only a great horseman but also a caring mentor by the young men who worked for him. Jack met his future wife, Nancy Doettling from Philadelphia, at Hidden Valley Ranch. They were married there on August 13, 1950, and were escorted in a horse-drawn stagecoach. In the following years, they were blessed with their children, Gregory and Patricia. For many winters, seasonal work took Jack and his family to Sarasota FL where he worked in construction and as a farrier shoeing horses and doing leather work for people seeking "custom and quality". No matter what he did, it was done with perfection and pride, which included designing and sewing his own western shirts. In 1973, Jack and Nancy purchased The Woodside Motel in Lake Luzerne. Jack justified his attention to detail and hard work around the motel property by saying, "if it brings joy to the motel guests, it is worth it". A tree-trimming accident in 1986 left Jack paralyzed but "non-stop" in his wheelchair for nearly 30 years; Jack continued his carpentry work and his pursuit of perfection from a unique stand-up motorized wheelchair. In addition to his parents, Jack is predeceased by his brothers Bill and Don West and sisters Honore Grahn, Harriet Watts, Shirley Wolfe and "Little Sis" Janet True. He is survived by his devoted wife of 65 years, Nancy, and his daughter Patricia West, both of Alpharetta, GA, his son, Gregory (Lucinda) West of Broomfield, CO, his grandson Owen West of Sun City West, AZ and many nieces and nephews. He also leaves behind his beloved dog, Shadow, and cats Bumper and Tux. To honor Jack's love for Hidden Valley Ranch and the Lake Luzerne area, his family suggests that memorial donations in his name be made to Double H Ranch, 97 Hidden Valley Road, Lake Luzerne, NY 12846. This is a "Serious Fun Children's Network" camp which provides specialized programs and year-round support for children and their families dealing with life-threatening illnesses. Ingram Funeral Home & Crematory, Cumming, Georgia is in charge of arrangements.