David Gene West

David Gene West, 63, of Ventura, California passed away on Monday, May 19, 2025.  He was born on March 5, 1962, in Waukesha, Wisconsin, the son of Gene and Joyce (Anderson) West of Kokomo, Indiana, formerly from Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

David accepted the Lord at Bethany Baptist Church, Milwaukee, Wisconsin and followed the Lord in baptism on March 29, 1970. He went on several mission trips while in the Bible Baptist Church Youth Group, the most notable one was to an Indian tribe in New Mexico.

David attended Kokomo Christian School in Kokomo, Indiana. He graduated from Haworth High School in 1980 and attended Purdue University for 2 years. He was active in sports: KCS basketball, YMCA youth football, and later on the Haworth football team.  He also played hockey on a team in Indianapolis. While in California he loved to root for the LA Dodgers and had several trips to games in the LA stadium.

In Kokomo, David briefly worked at REM, a residential home for the disadvantaged. He cared for them and even took some of them to church. In Ventura, an organization called Turning Point, which helped the disadvantaged, played a very special part in helping David through some difficult days in his life. David was employed for several years at New Visions in Ventura where he assisted in helping the mentally disabled. He also volunteered at various food banks. He was a very compassionate person in his dealings with people. They all loved him.

David loved his family and never missed sending cards to them, including a little cash or a gift card. He boxed up and sent coffee for his mom and tea for his dad. During his last few years, when his parents were no longer able to travel to Ventura, he then traveled to Kokomo twice a year. When in Ventura, David loved to “Zoom” with his parents and be kept up to date. Each call ended with a Today in the Word devotional.

Throughout his 12 years in Ventura, his mentor and then best friend, Tom Angula, became very special to him. Through the years he enjoyed his relationship with Tom’s family, wife “Cookie” and their 2 girls (Catalina and Macy). The girls referred to David affectionately as “Uncle David”.

David is survived by his parents, 2 brothers, Mark (Susan) Punta Gorda, Florida, Stephen (Rebecca) Bethel, Ohio; sister, Julie (Thomas) Lombard, Parker, Colorado; nephews, Anderson West and Kevin West; nieces, Christina (Mathew) Walter, Olivia Lombard, Gianna Lombard, Nora Lombard and Audrey West.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents (West’s and Anderson’s), and uncles and cousins.

A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday May 31, 2025, at Bible Baptist Church, 2635 S. Dixon Road, Kokomo, Indiana with Pastor Keith Treadway officiating. Burial will follow in Albright Cemetery, Kokomo. Friends may visit with the family from 4pm-7pm, Friday, May 30, 2025, and again on Saturday from 10am-11am prior to the service. Memorial contributions may be made to Bible Baptist Church or the charity of your choice. David’s service will be live streamed and can be viewed at www.youtube.com/@biblebaptistchurchkokomo5445. Messages of condolence may be left online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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