John West

John Walton "Jack" West, age 76, of Spartanburg, died Monday, November 12, 2012 at Spartanburg Regional Hospice Home. Born November 13, 1935, in Hartsville, South Carolina, he was the son of the late John Walton and Susie Auten West. He was a graduate of Hartsville High School and the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. He began his career and worked for 20 years with WTVD-TV, the Capital Cities owned station in Raleigh-Durham, NC. He also served as general manager of WRDW-TV in Augusta, GA, and WREX-TV in Rockford, Illinois. Mr. West joined Spartan Communications, Incorporated in 1988 serving as general manager of WBTW-TV in Florence-Myrtle Beach, SC. In 1990, he moved to Spartan's WSPA-TV in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville market as general manager. In 1996, Mr. West was appointed executive vice president of broadcast stations with responsibility for the successful operation of all 13 Spartan Communications stations until their purchase by Media General Communications in 2000. Mr. West served on the board of directors for the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, Illinois Broadcasters Association, and the South Carolina Broadcast Association. He served as president of the SCBA in 1993 and also served on the CBS Television Affiliate Advisory Board from 1991 to 1995, Television Alliance Group Board, the Advisory Boards of Appalachian State University Broadcast/Electronic Media Advisory Council, the Gardner-Webb College Board of Advisors, and The College of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of South Carolina. He was a former board of directors member of the Medical University of South Carolina Storm Eye Institute, United Way of Spartanburg, SC and Augusta, GA, Spartanburg and Augusta Chambers of Commerce, honorary chair of the March of Dimes, the Keep America Beautiful Campaign, a Paul Harris Fellow, and appointed as an honorary citizen of Palmetto Boys State by Senator Strom Thurmond in 1995. In 1998, he was inducted into the USC College of Journalism and Mass Communications Diamond Circle and in 2000 was named an Honorary Life Member of the SC Broadcasters Association in recognition of significant life achievement in the South Carolina Broadcasting industry as an outstanding broadcast executive, advocate, and community servant, advancing the standards of broadcasting throughout his career. He was a devoted member of First Presbyterian Church, Spartanburg, SC and a member of The Carolina Country Club, The Piedmont Club, Grandfather Golf and Country Club in Linville, NC, the UNC Alumni Association, and the Spartanburg Regional Foundation's President's Circle. Survivors include his beloved wife of almost 28 years, Linda Sangster West, sons Ron (Candy) West, Durham, NC, and Jeff (Laine) West, Wilmington, NC, daughters Robinne Weaver, Hillsborough, NC, Dawn O'Briant, Durham, NC, and Heather (Greg) Holley, Martinez, GA, nine grandchildren, and one great grandchild. Also, brother-in-law Leon Ashley Sangster (April), Grovetown, GA. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 3PM Thursday, November 15, 2012 at First Presbyterian Church, conducted by Dr. William LaClair Arthur and the Reverend Ansley Belcher Page. Following the service, the family will receive friends at The Piedmont Club. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church, 393 East Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302; the Gibbs Cancer Research Institute, c/o The Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Foundation, 101 East Wood Street, Spartanburg, SC, 29303; Feeding Avery County Families, 125 Farm Lane, Banner Elk, NC 28604, or to the charity of one's choice. Floyd's North Church Street Chapel To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of John Walton "Jack" West please visit our Sympathy Store.