Donald West Obituary

Donald "Don" Richard West

Apr 12, 1930 - Feb 2, 2026

Donald (Don) Richard West…Always in our hearts, forever loved and missed! Don, 95 years young, passed into the peace of Heaven February 2, 2026, reconnecting with Cricket, his forever love, and wife of 65 yrs, who preceded him in death in 2016. He was also preceded in death by his parents, Pauline Conrad West and F. Nat West; brother, Robert (Bob) West; sister, Jean Duggins Shapiro; and granddaughter Amanda Gayle Pope. Those left behind, who were lucky and truly blessed to have him in their life: 4 daughters: Donna Konkler, Robin Reid (Blake), Kim West (Gail), and Janice Mendek (Steve); 3 grandchildren: David Konkler Jr (Steph), Heather Huels (Mike), and Dustin Craven (Kelsey); 2 great-granddaughters: Sydney and Savannah Konkler; numerous nieces, 1 nephew; and a number of 'granddogs' and 'great granddogs'. Don and Cricket met at Reynolda Presbyterian's Youth Fellowship when they were just 16. He married Cricket in 1951 and after graduating from college, started his career, then a family. Don graduated from RJ Reynolds High School in 1948, where he was a member of the tennis team, the National Honor Society and was an honor graduate. He followed that with 4 yrs at NC State University, graduating with honors in 1952 with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree and membership in the honors and mechanical engineering chapters of Phi Kappa Phi, Tau Beta Pi and Pi Tau Sigma. Don worked at Western Electric and Bell Labs on military defense contracts and cellular phone systems for 23 years. He then worked in Krispy Kreme's equipment division, retiring as VP Equipment Engineering Technologies. Following retirement, Don worked on the 'honey-do' list from his 'new boss' (Cricket). Don lived the vow of "in sickness and in health," caring for her until she moved to assisted living where he visited with her daily. Family time was most important to Don, especially trips to the beach! The family would like to thank the staff at Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home for their gentle caring assistance over the last few months; as well as the team at Bermuda Village during his final days.

A memorial service will be held at 6 pm, Friday, February 6th at Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel, Advance, NC, with visitation immediately following the service. Interment will be at 11 am the following day in Westlawn Gardens of Memory, Clemmons, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials in Don's name be made to Kate B. Reynolds Hospice Home, 101 Hospice Lane, Winston-Salem, NC.

Hayworth-Miller Kinderton Chapel

108 E. Kinderton Way, Advance, NC 27006