Ronnie "Ron" E. West October 29, 1947 – March 4, 2013 Ronnie "Ron" E. West, age 65, of Clifton, CO, born in Farmington, MS and raised in Memphis, TN, passed away while away for the winter in Alabaster, AL, visiting family, Monday, March 4, 2013. Ron, a Vietnam Veteran served 14 years in the US Marine Corp. He retired from Armantrout Auto Sales in Grand Junction, CO and previously at Malouf Auto Sales in North Brunswick, NJ and Ed Bozarth Auto in Grand Junction, CO. He was a member of the VFW Post 1247 in Grand Junction, CO. He enjoyed his retirement, spending time with the family. He was an avid game hunter when he moved to New Castle, CO and had a love for motorcycle riding. Ron was known fondly around town as Mr. Avon. A long illness fell upon him from Agent Orange complications. He was a strong, sensible man, great husband, and fantastic father, who loved his family unconditionally. He lived by the strength instilled by the USMC, "Once a Marine, always a Marine" he said. He fought long and hard, a Marine till the end. He said he had one more hill to go over, and I guess that was the last one. He is not in any more pain. We want to thank all of you for your prayers. He was preceded in death by his parents, David E. and Maxine Wicker West and his aunt, Lessie Brown. He is survived by his wife, Valerie (Amato Guzman Miranda) West; son, William "Bill" E. West (Stacie) of CO; daughter, Antoinette "Ann" West of CO; step-son, Helio Guzman (Kristen) of NJ; sister, Betty Brown Miller (Lanny) of AL; sisters-in-law, Anna Amato of NJ; Rose "Cookie" Rosado (Raymond) of FL, and Patricia Toth (Ted) of SC; grandchildren, Kelly and Jessica West and Ashlie, Andy and Amber Bowles and Travis and Marcus Guzman and many nieces and nephews. Ron will never be forgotten, a life stopped too soon. We love you, my Papi, my friend and loving father. A memorial service will be held at a later date in Colorado.
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Published in The Daily Sentinel on Mar. 7, 2013