Alan West

Alan Odom West passed away peacefully on September 18, 2023 in Greenwood, Indiana surrounded by his family.  He was born in Erwin, North Carolina to his parents James Thomas West and Emma Lee Gibson West on December 23, 1956.   Alan was an Eagle Scout and was elected to the Order of Arrow by his troop as a devoted and outstanding Scout.  He attended Erwin High School where he was very active in athletics. Upon graduation, Alan went on to East Carolina University to study and where he became a member of the Kappa Alpha Order fraternity.  He graduated from Campbell University in Buies Creek, North Carolina with a BBA Degree in Business in 1981.

Soon after graduation from college, Alan was employed by Federal Express in Fayetteville, NC and then transferred to Indianapolis, IN where he settled and started a family.  In his work with Federal Express, he was admired for his warm personality, caring attitude, and his extra effort to help clientele along his courier route. Holidays were always peppered with baked goods and presents from the businesses he served. Alan later transferred to the Federal Express Office in Fayetteville, NC where he retired after 27 years of service.

Alan greatly enjoyed watching his children compete in athletics, never missing a chance to cheer on his kids. Many hours were spent watching his children participate in sports and coaching them on minor improvements they could make in their performance. Alan took great interest in reading about and watching documentaries on historical events that would range from Civil War battles to events of the modern day. Around the house he was a mechanic, a handyman, a coach, and a counselor. He would take breaks from fixing the family cars to speak with all 4 of his children about the ways of life and how to become a good person.  Alan also enjoyed the annual extended family beach trips to the family cottage in Kure Beach, North Carolina.  As active as he was for his family, he also thoroughly enjoyed a good recliner, a cat on his lap, and a crisp fountain coke in his hand. Alan loved the music of The Rolling Stones, Little Feat, Boston, Chicago, and many others.

Alan was preceded in death by his parents James Thomas West and Emma Lee Gibson West. He is survived by his children Justin (Laura) Sanchez, Jana (Jonathan) Terry, Kelsi (Kevin) Metcalf,  and David West; his brother Dwight West, sister Tommi Badger; his grandchildren Kimber Metcalf, Carter Metcalf, Breonna Metcalf, Penelope Terry, Henry Terry, Alexis Terry, Oliver Sanchez, Luke Sanchez and his many nieces, nephews, and other family members who he loved dearly.