Franklin D. West, Jr.

Franklin “Frank” D. West, Jr., 95, was born August 6, 1922, in Des Moines, Iowa to Franklin D. West and Florence Baker West. He graduated from East High School in 1941.

In 1939 Frank enlisted in the Iowa National Guard 113th Horse Calvary. He was deployed in January, 1941. He served as a Staff Sergeant, T Sub Machine Gun Expert, and Rifle Marksman in the European Theatre for 20 months. He was in combat in the Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe Battles and Campaigns. Frank was awarded 2 Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and numerous other service medals from the United States, Holland and Russian Governments. In 1995 Frank attended the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Liberation of Holland, as a guest of the Holland Government.

August 20, 1949, Frank married Jean McGillivray and they shared 66 years of marriage. They made their home in Des Moines. Frank worked as chief engineer at Lake Shore Tire and Rubber Company and attended classes at Drake University. Shortly after their marriage he started his career in sales and sales management. He was a salesman and sales manager for Crescent Chevrolet and Stanbrough Realty. He opened West Realty in 1970 and retired from real estate in 1980. Frank enjoyed teaching Dale Carnegie and real estate classes. In 1981 he went to work for the City of Des Moines and was Chief Engineer and Supervisor over the Building and Grounds Department, retiring in 1994.

Frank led a very full and active life. He was a 50 year member of the Acanthus Lodge 632, 50 year member of the Shrine, 50 year member of the Scottish Rite Consistory, member of High 12, a lifetime member of the VFW Post 9127, the American Legion, and a member of Douglas Avenue Presbyterian church, where he served as an Elder. He enjoyed spending time with his family, fishing in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Canada, traveling the states and Europe, spending winters in Arizona, and his beloved Hawkeyes.

He is survived by his three children; Sally Hink (Bruce), F. David West, III (Sandra, deceased), Kim Evans (Joe); 6 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his wife, Jean; his parents; and his brothers, John, Ralph, Bob and Paul.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. with a Masonic service at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 7, 2018, at Hamilton’s, 3601 Westown Parkway, West Des Moines. Services will be held Friday, June 8, 2018 at 11:00 a.m. at Douglas Avenue Presbyterian Church, 4601 Douglas Avenue, Des Moines, and burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Douglas Avenue Presbyterian Church.

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