Jeffrey D. West

Jeffrey David West went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, December 28, 2022 following a year-long illness. He died at Ascension Genesys Hospital in Grand Blanc, MI. He was born in Detroit, Michigan on November 8, 1959 to his loving parents Joseph and Beatrice (Clarkson) West who proceeded him in death.

Upon graduation from high school, Jeff followed his passion and entered the world of harness horse racing. He spent 20 years racing horses up and down the East Coast as well as in Michigan. He spent many years at Spring Garden Ranch training center in DeLand, FL where he made life-long friends.  After racing horses, he worked driving trucks and retired from St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix, AZ. He had spent 13 years in Arizona before returning to Michigan in August of 2021. He continued to enjoy handicapping and watching horse races on TV along with phone & video visits with those he loved.

The joy of Jeff’s life was his family and friendships that he treasured. Having spent many summers growing up in Elk Rapids, MI, he considered it his second home. He kept in touch with childhood friends and often shared fond memories. When Jeff & DeAnn were reunited after many years, he made the move back to Michigan. They especially loved visiting his sons in Rock in the Upper Peninsula and stopping at the Casino’s & family members along the way.  Family gatherings this past summer allowed his extended family to spoil him where they fed him endless sweet corn!

Jeff is survived by his finance DeAnn Alexander of Fenton, sons Anthony West and Andrew Anderson of Rock MI, DeAnn’s daughters Katie Bickford of Fenton and Alison Bickford of Sterling Heights, MI, brothers Joseph (Melanie) West of Novi, MI, John (Marci) West of Pellston, MI, sisters Shari (Ralph) Garber of Mancelona, MI, and Cindy Boglin (Robert) of Queen Creek, AZ.  Jeff is also survived by nieces and nephews Kristine (Roger) Willis of Pellston, Kimberly (Mike) Weiner of Traverse City, Melissa Pardee of Mancelona, Carolyn West of Apex, NC, and Jordan Boglin of San Tan Valley, AZ. He is also survived by several great nieces and nephews Tyler, Jacob, Joseph, Brianna, Annaliese, and Joey. He is also survived by Jalen Terry, his grandson and DeAnn’s mother, Nina.

Jeff was proceeded in death by his parents, his grandparents Dorsey & Hazel (Miller) West and John & Beatrice (Vincent) Clarkson, several aunts, uncles, and cousins. He was also proceeded in death by his nephew & hero, Staff Sergeant Matthew West who was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2010.

The family will hold a private memorial for Jeff in Elk Rapids this coming summer.

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