Ronald (Ron) Arlen West passed away Sunday, June 18, 2023. Ron was born January 16, 1947 and raised by his loving parents alongside his siblings in Ottawa, Kansas. After high school, Ron worked at the CASE Farm Equipment Company for nearly 4 years on an experimental department team taking apart failed equipment and making upgrades. Ron then moved to Colorado with his young family in the early 70’s. He started in Glenwood Springs at the Garfield County Road & Bridge Department, then moved to Rifle, before creating a home on Silt Mesa and working at the Roads Department for 20 years. He also spent several years as a reserve police officer for the Rifle Police Dept. After retiring from the county, he joined Walters Construction Company as a Heavy Equipment Operator/Truck Driver for 15 years. Ron loved the outdoors. Summer weekends were spent camping alongside a mountain lake with his family. He was an avid hunter during deer, elk, and duck seasons and loved fishing at the river and Harvey and Rifle Gap lakes. Ron lived his life with kindness, generosity, and humility. He worked hard and was quick to offer help to others. He had immense strength and perseverance that helped navigate life’s challenges.
Ron is survived by his children Kelly (Malinda) West, Julie (Mark) West/Thompson, and Ronald Jr/Ron (Monique) West; his children’s mother, Mary Ann Olson; grandchildren Justin, Kylee, Kody, Hendrix, and Marley; his siblings Steve West and Phyllis (Jimmy) Ghersi; stepdaughters Kristy, Stacey, and Danielle and their mother, Janet; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and aunts he loved dearly. Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Arlen and Edith West; his sister-in-law, Glenna West; and other beloved family.