John Howard West

John Howard West, a local businessman and a resident of Oyster, VA, passed away Monday, December 19, 2011 at Riverside Shore Memorial Hospital in Nassawadox, VA just two weeks after his 60th birthday. An Eastern Shore native, he was the son of the late Joe Harvey West, Sr. and Juanita Moore West of Grafton, WV. In addition to his mother, he is survived by three children, Cheli West of Seaview, VA, Erin Hall and her husband, Ernest, of Oyster, VA, and Steve West of Blacksburg, VA; two grandchildren, Alexander and Keaira Hall of Oyster; two brothers, Joe H. West, Jr. and his wife, Pam, of Grafton, and Kevin West of Grafton; one sister, Elizabeth Smith of Grafton; and a special friend, Cindy Tatem of Seaview. A proud local, he enjoyed telling people that he had had the same mailing address his entire life, a post office box in Cheriton that he inherited from his parents. Though a small businessman himself, he disliked and dreaded the development and growth of the Shore because he feared it destroyed the character of the home he loved so much. He liked to tell people that many years ago when people came to visit he would direct them by saying, "Once you pass the Maryland line, turn left at the first stoplight." He failed to mention that the first stoplight was an hour South in Cape Charles. His sense of adventure and playfulness were with him throughout his life. As a child, he and his brothers were caught riding their bicycles on the roof of the chicken coop, and at 15 he ran away from home and ended up working in a circus in New Jersey. During a family vacation to Disney World, he went bunjee jumping simply because Cheli told him that she didn't believe he would. At Halloween one year, he bravely left the house as Robin Hood, bright green tights and all. Visitors to the Shore would always have to stop by the store to "flip" John double or nothing for a bag of clams. He always loved a gamble. Steve once won $100 over a bet about the correct capital of Tennessee. There is not a single person who ever met him that doesn't have an anecdote that begins, "I remember when John..." Just as he knew how to play hard, he always worked hard. Before he was even a teenager, he worked on oystering boats and was able to do more work than a grown man. While in the military, he worked transporting high-security classified documents, and he used to tell his children, "If I told you about it, I'd have to kill you." After his father passed away, he took over the family seafood business, J. H. West Seafood, which was named for Joe Harvey but worked just as well for John Howard. In his lifetime he worked hard and saw his business grow and thrive. It began as a small operation, but grew to include a shucking house, a store, a tractor trailer converted into a freezer, and a main building. Many years later, it grew again to include a clam nursery, and a new location in Townsend complete with a restaurant. Though he took pride in his business achievements and worked hard, his greatest joys in life came from helping others. He delivered fresh seafood to elderly women, bought warm clothes and treats for the residents of the nursing home at Christmas, sponsored athletic teams at the high school and through Parks and Rec., gave generously to the American Heart Association, the American Cancer Society, and Operation Smile, and even hosted an oyster roast at his business in Oyster for many years to benefit the American Cancer Society. Additionally, any good cause that came knocking on his door was sure to get support, whether it meant buying chicken salad lunches from the local church, providing shoes for impoverished school children, or even simply employing someone who others had given up on. Many times he explained his wish to sponsor a child from birth who, because of his or her socio-economic situation, was not likely to have a bright future and provide him or her with the financial, academic, and other support necessary to achieve greatness. He loved children, and was most proud of his own children. When talking about them he always bragged, "they make me look good." While Erin participated in high school athletics, he attended every game and was always the loudest cheerleader. Eventually, each of her teammates became honorary members of his family and even dubbed him "Uncle John John," a title which those same girls still bestow upon him with pride. For many years he donned a Santa Claus suit and visited Cheli's students at the elementary school bearing gifts, treats, and a happy heart ready to listen to each tiny voice share their Christmas wishes with him. The newest additions to the list of children touched by his life are his grandchildren who he played alongside with the zeal of youth. As such a life must, he has touched many and will be greatly missed. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, December 23, 2011 at 1:00 pm at Cheriton United Methodist Church with Rev. Jeff Conrow officiating. Interment will follow at Cape Charles Cemetery. Family will join friends one hour prior to the service at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Relay For Life (the American Cancer Society), c/o Paula Belote, P. O. Box 894, Parksley, VA 23421 or to Operation Smile, 6435 Tidewater Drive, Norfolk, VA 23509. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.doughtyfuneralhome.com . Arrangements made by Wilkins-Doughty Funeral Home, Cape Charles, VA 23310.