Gerald Rodney West

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend, Gerald Rodney West, passed away Thursday, January 9, 2025. He was 88 years of age. He was surrounded by his loving family as he quietly passed away after a courageous battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Gerald was born on July 9, 1936, in Ogden, Utah, to Rodney H. and Evelyn Rachel Bates West. He is the oldest of four children. He attended Burch Creek Elementary, South Junior High, and Weber High School, graduating in 1954.

He was called to be a full-time missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and was assigned to the Central States Mission. There he shared the gospel and strengthened his testimony of Jesus Christ. He remains a faithful and dedicated servant and an active member of the LDS Church.

Gerald married his sweetheart, Barbara Gail Dodson, on April 3, 1959, in the Salt Lake Temple. They were blessed with four children, 15 grandchildren, and 29 (soon to be 30) great-grandchildren. He takes great pride in his family and has focused his life on providing guidance, love, and support for all.

Shortly after marrying Barbara, Gerald began his service in the Utah National Guard. He served in the military for 6 years. He also continued his education, earning degrees from Weber State College, and the Institute of Banking, where he also taught many banking classes.

He began his career in banking at the Bank of Utah, where his career progressed, and he remained there for 22 years. He held many management positions there, including Vice President. Later in his career he became CEO of Weber States Credit Union, retiring in 2004 after 20 years at the credit union. As a manager and leader, he nurtured relationships that grew careers, and his staff loved working with him. Jerry, as he is known by most, respected every person and treated all fairly, regardless of their position. Many of the relationships built with coworkers have developed into lifelong friendships and remain so today. Even in retirement he remained involved in banking by serving on the board of directors at Wasatch Peaks Credit Union.

Jerry served in many callings for the LDS Church, including teacher, High Priest, Bishop of the South Ogden 58th Ward, and stake secretary of the Weber State University Stake. He studied and read the scriptures and offered great advice, shared his wisdom, and is a true disciple of Christ. He and his wife Barbara served a mission together in the Ogden Inner City Mission from 2008 to 2009.

Jerry enjoyed hunting, camping, and woodworking. He loved any opportunity to fix anything and often did. He was a master gardener and enjoyed working in the yard. He did not just mow the lawn, he groomed it, and it was immaculate. It was impressive to see a perfect lawn, all the time. In the winter, he was the neighborhood’s finest snow remover and became known for his well-shaved snowbanks. He always had the companionship of a dog at his side or his lap. His pups were well-loved, and they loved him too.

Dad was steady, faithful, and wise. He provided great advice on any topic, could fix anything, and loved everyone. To know him was to love him. He has no enemies, just friends, some old, some new, and some that he has not yet met.

Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Barbara; children, Wendy (Jere) Chipp, Jeffrey (Mary) West, Melanie (Brian) Rogers, and Becky (Jim) Wilson; 15 grandchildren, and 29 great-grandchildren with one arriving in March; his sister, Elaine (Brent-deceased) Hales; his brother-in-law, Ben (Pam-deceased) Tatom and Evaline (Lynn) Petersen. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Pamela.

Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, January 15, 2025, at 11 a.m. at Lindquist’s Ogden Mortuary, 3408 Washington Blvd. Friends may visit with family on Tuesday from 6 to 8 p.m. and Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the mortuary. Interment, Lindquist’s Washington Heights Memorial Park, 4500 Washington Blvd.

The family extends a special thanks to the care team from Applegate Homecare, Dr. David Farnsworth, Annette Wood, and Megan Tyndall.

Services will be live-streamed and available the day of the services by scrolling to the bottom of Jerry’s obituary page at: www.lindquistmortuary.com where condolences may also be shared.