GUMBORO, DELAWARE (10/10/2015) Funeral services have been set for former state Rep. Charles P. West, who died Wednesday at age 94 at his Gumboro-area home.
West was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 1956 and served one term, then was elected in 1978 and served the 41st district, including the Gumboro and Millsboro areas, until his retirement in 2002.
A viewing will be held at Watson Funeral Home, 211 S. Washington St. in Millsboro, on Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m. and on Monday from noon to 1 p.m., with a funeral service beginning at 1 p.m. West will be buried with full military honors at the West Family Cemetery, adjacent to the family farm on Lone Cypress Road.
Gov. Jack Markell has ordered the American and Delaware flags at state facilities be flown at half-staff until the end of the business day Monday out of respect for West and his service to Delaware.
During his time in the legislature, West championed education issues and helped establish the Sussex County Veterans Cemetery, according to the governor’s office. West also was a World War II veteran in the Army and a founding member of the Gumboro Volunteer Fire Company.
West was born on May 2, 1921. Like many in the Depression, he dropped out of school in the 10th grade to work full-time on the family farm. After World War II, he also worked as a carpenter, joining the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners, Local 2012,
In 1998, he got legislation passed converting the former Gumboro Public School into what became the Gumboro Community Center. On his 80th birthday in 2001, the grounds of the center, containing a children’s playground and a ball field, were named the Charles P. West Community Park.
He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Eleanor; his son, Charles P. “Chip” West, II, and his wife, Debbie, who live on the West homeplace, Cypress Tree Farm near Gumboro; a granddaughter, Jenna, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; and many nieces and nephews. His brothers, Howard, Jacob Henry and Leon, and his sisters, Elizabeth and Beatrice, predeceased him.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations to the Memorial Fund at the Delaware Community Foundation. Checks should be payable to the “Delaware Community Foundation” with “Rep. Charles P. West” on the memo line. Checks may be sent to the Delaware Community Foundation, 36 The Circle, Georgetown, DE 19947