Jerry L. West, 87 of Bradenton, Florida, died peacefully on April 23, 2026.
He was born on April 15, 1939, in Spartanburg, South Carolina, a son of Neal James West and Edna Ayers both from Spartanburg, S.C.
He was raised and educated in Spartanburg, S.C. and graduating from Fairforest High School in 1957. He then went on to Spartanburg Junior College, graduating from Wofford College as a member of the class of 1964.
He began his career with the City of Spartanburg, then moved to Bradenton in 1970. After serving as the Manatee County planner for seven years, he went on to become the Planning and Development Director for the city of Bradenton, responsible for Planning, Building, Zoning and community development. In 1980, he assisted in creating the Downtown Community Development Agency as well as the creation of The Village of the Arts, serving as the director until 2004. In 1987, he served as President of the State of Florida Planning and Zoning Association. He retired from the City of Bradenton in 2004 and continued to serve the community in many volunteer groups.
To his friends and family his greatest joy was volunteering with the Boy Scouts and being a Scout Master for 12 years. Many of his other joys included Hunting, fishing, camping, canoeing, but gardening was his favorite.
Survivors include his wife of twenty-five years, Lise M. West, sons Jonathan West of Bradenton, Joel West of Asheville, North Carolina and his wife Penny. Brother James West of Spartanburg, South Carolina and his wife Jean. 4 stepchildren, Christian Deslauriers and his wife Veronique St-Jean, Jean Chouinard and his wife Diane Théberge, Lyne Chouinard and her husband Jacques Quirion and Guy Chouinard and his wife Manon Brousseau as well as many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A celebration of life will take place on Friday, May 1, 2026, from 4:00PM-7:00PM at Pier 22 ,1200 1st Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205. Service will be held at the Oak Grove Baptist Church and Cemetery in Spartanburg, South Carolina at a later date.
Brown & Sons Funeral Homes & Crematory, 43rd Street Chapel, 604 43rd Street West, Bradenton, FL 34209, is in charge of arrangements.
