Thomas Harrison West (Tom), Lt. Col, USAF retired, was born to the late Elizabeth and Raymond West on March 3, 1940, in Milan, Tennessee. He passed away peacefully on April 21, 2024, in Richmond, Virginia. A lifelong Christian, Tom was a member of Derbyshire Baptist Church at his passing.
Tom served proudly in the U.S. Air Force, retiring at the rank of Lt. Colonel after 26 years of service. Tom was a logistics officer and served in Thailand during the Vietnam War, stationed in the Philippines, Maryland, Turkey, Nebraska, Germany, and the Pentagon during his years of service.
Tom grew up in Milan, Tennessee, graduating from Milan High School, and received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Union University in Jackson Tennessee in 1963. He was a member of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity, and he met the love of his life, Syrena, on Union’s campus. He often credited her with his ability to get his degree by assisting him with his study habits.
Shortly after graduation, he joined the Air Force as a second Lieutenant and began his career. Through the Air Force, he received his Masters in Business Administration from the University of Nebraska in 2000. He retired with distinction from the Air Force in 1989. After retiring, he lived in East Tennessee on the banks of the Tennessee River, before finally relocating to Richmond, Virginia to be close to family.
He married Syrena Watridge in 1963. He was proud of his family, especially his children, Andrea (Kerry) Wortzel, Janet Reid, and Douglas West; and grandchildren, Brady and Lacey Wortzel, Caroline and Jacob Reid, and Leo West.
Tom had a great love of fishing, especially with his brother, riding his Gold Wing motorcycle in the backroads of Tennessee and playing gardener with his wife, Syrena.
Tom will be fondly remembered for his integrity, steadfast wit, love of family, the ever-present twinkle in his eye and his love of country and the Tennessee Volunteers.
He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Syrena; three children, and five grandchildren; and a brother, Richard West (Sylvia) of Parsons, Tennessee.
A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, April 27, 2024, at Derbyshire Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia.
In lieu of flowers, donations in his memory may be made to the Koinonia Sunday School Class, Derbyshire Baptist Church, Richmond, Virginia.
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