Charles West

Charles Eugene â�œRedâ₝ West was born in Vinita, Oklahoma on September 8, 1947 and departed this life on July 13, 2014. He is survived by his wife of 45 years, Sheila Ann Rohmiller West; his sister Mary Deanna West Glenn and her husband George; his sister Donna L. West Smith and her husband Bo; and loving nieces and nephews. His parents Charles J. West and Mary Barnes West, long time Vinita residents, preceded him in death. Red was a long time resident of Vinita and generously served his community, his state, and his country in various capacities over many years. During his early years in Vinita, Red worked for a number of local businesses â�" throwing newspapers for the Journal, washing dishes at Clantonâ�™s Café�©, working as a soda jerk at Sooner Drug, washing cars at Brown Motor Company and driving an ambulance for Burckhalter Funeral Home. He graduated from Vinita High School in 1965 and from Northeastern State University in Tahlequah in 1969. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force, reaching the rank of Captain and serving as an aircraft commander in the KC-135A. He piloted the KC-135A during the VietNam War, refueling aircraft while in flight. He flew 44 combat missions over South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos. He received numerous decorations for his military service. He received an honorable discharge in 1975. Red then enrolled in law school at the University of Tulsa. He received a Juris Doctorate Degree in 1978. He was associated with the Vinita law firm of Logan & Lowry from 1977 until his retirement in 2012. Red was well known as a real estate attorney in the area, examining hundreds of abstracts and gaining a unique knowledge of the history of the Vinita area through that work. Red served on a number of boards for local organizations. He was a former director on the boards of the Vinita Chamber of Commerce; Vinita Country Club; Senior Companion Program for Craig, Ottawa, and Rogers Counties; Craig County Health Department; and Vinita Senior Citizens Center. He was active in the American Legion. He served multiple terms as Post Commander and President of the Board of Directors of Dale Peace Post #40. He was Judge Advocate for Dale Peace Post for over 30 years and served as State Judge Advocate for the 35,000 member Oklahoma American Legion. He was a life member of the American Legion Veterans of Foreign Wars and Vietnam Veterans of America. In 2001, Red received a Presidential appointment to the Northeast Oklahoma District Selective Service System Board of Appeals. Red served as a board member and an officer in the Craig County War Memorial Association where he was instrumental in the negotiation, design, fund raising and construction of the Craig County War Memorial located in South Park. He assisted with Veterans Day programs held at the Memorial. He received the â�œOutstanding Community Achievement of Vietnam Era Veteransâ₝ award from the Mayor of Vinita and served as delegate of the State American Legion during the dedication ceremonies of the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington D.C. Red coached Little League football, worked to help establish the Craig County 4-H Foundation and was a speaker at several â�œCareer Daysâ₝ at Vinita High School. He was instrumental in building the concession facilities and restrooms at Attucks Park. Red and Sheila cultivated many friendships from the military and from the Vinita area. They loved to vacation on a sunny beach. They played golf and tennis. Red also enjoyed playing racquetball, softball, and card games. He was always willing to lend a helping hand to friends and often to strangers as well. If a needy family was passing through town, Red might donate gas and food money from his own pocket. One and all enjoyed Redâ�™s quick wit and humor. In 1992, Red became Vinitaâ�™s 1992 Citizen of the Year at the annual Chamber of Commerce Banquet. At that time, Red said that his proudest achievement was his part in the erection of the Craig County War Memorial, a joint effort by the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans groups and their auxiliaries. He praised the volunteers who spent numerous hours researching, designing and laying the foundations for the monument. Red was surprised and deeply honored by the award. He stated, â�œVinita and Craig County have been good to me and my family; I hope my past and future contributions can help compensate for the many blessings we enjoy living and working here.â₝ Red indeed repaid his community, his state, and his country for his many blessings, always paying it forward with his integrity, service and generosity. In death as in life, Red faced the challenge with heart and fought the good fight. He loved life and cherished every day. He was the master of his fate, the captain of his soul. Red was laid to rest in Fairview Cemetery in Vinita in a private family ceremony arranged by Luginbuel Funeral Home. Skip McClain officiated. He was honored with a military 21-gun salute. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to the Vinita American Legion for the benefit of the Craig County War Veterans Memorial Association. Online condolences may be made at www.honoringmemories.com. Arrangements are by the Luginbuel Funeral Home of Vinita.