Jimmy Truman West, 82, of Gainesville, Georgia passed away on May 10, 2014 at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center following a two month illness. A memorial service will be held on Monday, May 12, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at Lakewood Baptist Church. Dr. Tom Smiley and Dr. Jerry Gill will officiate. A visitation will follow the memorial service at the church.
Jim was born January 20, 1932 in Carroll County, Georgia to Inez Barr West and Homer Cleveland West. After graduating from Roopville High School, Jim proudly served as an Airman First Class in the United States Air Force. Following his military service, Jim returned to Carrollton, married his love Carol Anne Lawler, and graduated from the University of West Georgia on the GI Bill.
Jim worked various jobs over the years to support his young family such as driving a Lance cracker truck and a milk truck, delivering cold milk to the back doors of customers in Carrollton. Jim always loved automobiles and followed that passion in the finance business working for GMAC in Marietta, Georgia. One of his accounts was Jim Wilson of Wilson Chevrolet in Gainesville. He developed a rapport with Mr. Wilson who was eventually successful in luring Jim to Gainesville to work at the Wilson dealership. Jim loved the car business, but soon acted on an opportunity to join Heyward Hosch, Sr. at the Citizens Bank in Gainesville. He retired from his banking career at Georgia First Bank with over 40 years as an executive banker.
During his career, Jim was involved in several civic organizations where he held board positions and was a long-time member of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Council. His knowledge of the community led many to urge him to run for public office. He was elected to the Gainesville City Council in 1989 and served on the council until 2000. The highlight of his political career occured when he became Mayor of Gainesville in 1997. Jim was especially proud to serve on the Gainesville City Council during the 1996 Olympics. He proudly helped the community welcome the world to Gainesville-Hall County for the Lake Lanier Canoe/Kayak events at Clarks Bridge Park. During his retirement, Jim emjoyed his work at Stephens Auto Sales as well as the Chattahoochee Golf Club where he enjoyed meeting old friends and making new ones. Jim was a member of Lakewood Baptist Church.
Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Carol Anne Lawler West; sons, Thomas Cleveland West of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Timothy Victor West of Gainesville, and his wife McKemie Dozier West; grandchildren, Turner Watkins West of Dallas, Texas, Thomas Lawler West of Gainesville and Hope McKemie West Mann, and husband, Aaron James Mann of Dahlonega, Georgia. Sister and brother-in-law, Virginia and Wendell Carroll of Bremen, Georgia; niece, Susan Kaye Carroll of Bremen; nephews, Kendall West Carroll of Atlanta, Wendell Keith Carroll and Kelley Scott Carroll both of Carrollton.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that memorial contributions be made to Lakewood Baptist Church, 2235 Thompson Bridge Road, Gainesville, GA 30501, www.lakewoodlife.org or the Boys and Girls Clubs of Hall County, P.O. Box 691, Gainesville, Georgia 30503, www.boysgirlsclubs.com
Those wishing to send online condolences to the family of Mr. West are welcome to do so at littledavenport.com
Little & Davenport Funeral Home, 355 Dawsonville Highway, SW, Gainesville, Georgia 30501 is in charge of arrangements.
