Gordon Raymond West, CDR US Navy Ret., 88, of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away Sunday, February 10, 2013 at his Port Charlotte residence.
Ray was born in Springfield, Missouri to G. Raymond and Mae West. His father preceded his mother in death at an early age. Ray attended high school and Drury College in Springfield and graduated from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Great Neck, Long Island, New York with a B.S. degree in Marine Engineering.
His seagoing career began during World War II and extended beyond the Vietnam War. He served in a fleet tanker to the South Pacific and 3 cargo ships in the North Atlantic during WWII. He then served aboard the USS Antietam (CV 36), the Groton (PCE 900), Shasta (AE6), the Whetstone (LSD 27), the Burton Island (AGB1), and the Interceptor (AGR 8) as Commanding Officer, the Gunston Hall (LS5) as Commanding Officer, and the Oklahoma City (CG5) as the Amphibious Officer on the staff of Commander 7th Fleet. The Gunston Hall and Oklahoma City were during the Vietnam War. He retired from the U.S. Navy after 31 years of service to his country.
Ray’s military and civilian life would have made an interesting movie. In his early years, he conducted a dance/decorum class for 8 – 12 year olds to dance and become young ladies and gentlemen, made guest appearances as vocal soloist on radio stations, sang soloist with a US troupe at Army Hospitals and made several appearances at various churches as guest soloist. He was an acolyte and cross bearer in church, and worked as a shill for the casino in Reno, a bookie (for the Mafia) in South Beach, Miami. He lived in a homeless camp on the banks of the Sacramento River, was a guest and was entertained at a castle in Europe. Walked around the world (at the South Pole), scuba dived in 29 degree water temperatures under an ice cap, played football with the Penguins and rode a seal while in the Antarctic.
His many journeys with intriguing stories took him to The Great Wall in China, Taj Mahal in India, Katmandu, Nepal, the Anchor Wat temples in Cambodia, a plane ride over an erupting Kilauea volcano in Hawaii, North of the Arctic Circle, the Peacock Throne in the palace in Teheran, Iran, a tour of the Holy Land, transited the Panama Canal 5 times, flew around the world 4 times, the Vatican in Italy, the Acropolis in Greece, Gibraltar, Tahiti, and many more locals, visiting over 67 countries and territories.
Ray was a member of Solomon Lodge and Abouben – Adhem Shrine Temple of Springfield, MO, B.P.O. Elks Lodge 1795 of Fort Walton Beach, FL, Scottish Rite of Pensacola, FL, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 9076 of Pattaya, Thailand, and American Legion D. N. McQueen Post No. 103 of Punta Gorda, FL. An active tennis player, Ray belonged to several tennis clubs in Port Charlotte and was a member of the Village Racquet Club of Punta Gorda.
Ray is survived his much loved wife Rumpung; 3 sons, Michael, Robert and Mark West, and had the pleasure of raising his wife’s daughters, Juem Peters and Netnapha Jaithan. He was also blessed with 7 grandchildren, Michael, Savannah, Natalie, Nicky, Jade, Hailey and Dylan.
Visitation will be from 6 to 7 p.m. with a Funeral service at 7:00 p.m. this Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at Roberson Funeral Homes Port Charlotte Chapel. A Committal service with Military Honors by the U.S. Navy will be held 10:00 a.m. Thursday 14, 2013 at Sarasota National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida.
Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers may be made to TideWell Hospice Inc., 5955 Rand Boulevard, Sarasota, Florida 34238.
Arrangements are by Roberson Funeral Homes, Port Charlotte Chapel.