WEST, Paul James

Paul James West, 85, Scottsdale, Arizona, passed away June 16, 2003. Visitation: 5-7 PM, Thursday, June 19, 2003 Hansen Chapel, 8314 N. 7th Street, Phoenix, AZ. Services: 10:00 AM, Friday, June 20, 2003, Lincoln Heights Christian Church, 2121 E. Lincoln Drive, Phoenix, Arizona 85016. Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/18/2003. ------------------------ Paul J. West of Scottsdale, AZ, passed away June 16, 2003. He was born on a farm in Arkadelphia, AL, on Feb. 5, 1918, the youngest of five siblings. As a child, he visited Phoenix for extended periods, eventually graduating 8th grade from the Wilson School, During the Depression, he worked his way back and forth across the country, preferring jobs in hotels where the wages of $1/day included a meal and a bed. Returning to Phoenix in 1937, he began work in a grocery store. While stocking boxes of Jell-O, he met the love of his life Samantha Clifton, the boss's daughter. They married on Jan. 1, 1939. In 1940, with $700 worth of groceries, they opened their own store, Paul West Market at 20 Street and Fillmore. They worked side by side for 33 years until they retired. Paul was active in many professional organizations including the Retail Grocers Association & Associated Grocers. He served as a State Representative from 1951 to 1952. Paul was an active member of Lincoln Heights Christian Church in Phoenix. He joined the church (then called Central Christian) on April 9, 1939. In retirement, Paul and Sammie traveled throughout North America; favorite places included the Oregon coast and Kino Bay, Mexico. Paul is survived by his beloved wife, Samantha; his brother, John West, of Detroit, MI; his daughter June Daniels and her husband, Bud, of Phoenix; his son Ray West and his wife, Kathy, of Pheba, MS; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. Paul enjoyed the creative side of making business deals and spending time with his grandkids. He will be remembered for his love of coconut cream pie, the saying "Everything is copacetic," and the way Sammie always made him laugh. Visitation on Thursday, June 19, 2003, 5-7pm at Hansen Mortuary, 8314 N. 7th St., Phoenix. Services on Friday, June 20, 10am at Lincoln Heights Christian, 2121 E. Lincoln Dr., Phoenix. Published in The Arizona Republic on 6/19/2003.