Obituary of Kenneth West

Kenneth West WEST COLUMBIA: Kenneth West, a beloved husband, father, and friend passed away peacefully on December 21, 2011 at Palmetto Health Baptist Hospital. He was born on August 31, 1944 in Oakdale, LA and fought for his life for 67. Visitation services will be held Monday, December 26, 2011 from 7p.m. to 9p.m. at Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington. Funeral services will be held the following day on Tuesday, December 27, 2011 at 2:00p.m. in the Chapel of Thompson Funeral Home of Lexington, with burial to follow at Southland Memorial Gardens. Judy and Tori West will be receiving family and friends at their home following the burial. Home address: 1149 Lake Shire Drive, West Columbia, SC 29170. Kenneth was the tenth of eleven children born to Shadrick and Macie West. He was preceded in death by his sisters: Linda, Anna Lou, Vera, Eula, and Lora Jean and his parents: Shadrick and Macie. He is survived by his wife, Judy West; his daughter, Victoria "Tori" West; his sisters, Rodessa, Thelma, Ruby, and Willie Mae; and his brother, Prentiss. Kenneth moved from Louisiana to South Carolina in 1981 after have both of his legs amputated at age 30. He went on to receive many awards including: the HP Stevenson award for Handicapped Person of the Year, the Mayor's Most Achieved Person for Columbia, a bank bond and award for Outstanding Employee of the Year from the B'nai B'rith Foundation, and a runner up for South Carolina Father of the Year. He was known for always having a positive attitude no matter what obstacles he had to endure in his life. He overcame so many obstacles in his life and he deserved a lot of recognition for his accomplishments. His strong will and eager attitude towards life is what many people including his wife fell in love with him. The family hopes that his positive attitude and spirit has left many wonderful lasting memories with the people he encountered. The family would prefer that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the "Kenneth West for Tori Memorial Fund" at Wells Fargo that will be used as a college fund for his daughter, who is attending Hollins University in Roanoke, Va. The family would also like to thank all of the health care workers that cared for him throughout his life. Family and friends may sign online guest book at www.thompsonsfuneral.com