May 22, 1946 – January 18, 2024
Phillip Ragan West, 77, Lebanon, Ind., and formerly of rural Kirklin, Ind., passed away on Thursday evening, January 18, 2024, at Signature Healthcare at Parkwood in Lebanon. Born on May 22, 1946, in Lebanon, he was the son of the late Thomas Ragan and Julia Ellen (Marlow) West.
He was a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of both Kempton and Ekin.
He was a 1964 graduate of Sheridan High School and continued his education at Indiana State University. Two years into his studies, Phil enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserves. He quickly found himself aboard the USS Higbee and honorably served his country as a radar man during the Vietnam War. After his time in the service was complete, Phil returned home with many stories to tell. He also returned with a newfound desire to seek out parts unknown. He enjoyed traveling to various states and never passed up a chance to hit the open road on his motorcycle (or do some drag racing outside of town).
Phil spent most of his working life in telecommunications. He was employed at Indiana Bell as a lineman and worked on nearly everything in the company’s arsenal during his 30-year career. He enjoyed the people he met along the way and thoroughly enjoyed what he did (even if it meant shimmying through some very tight attics and crawlspaces). The company Phil worked for may have changed from Indiana Bell to AT&T, and finally Lucent Technology, but the attention to detail and the pride he took in his work never did. After leaving the phone company, Phil worked for CNH in Lebanon before finally retiring in 2019.
On September 10, 1972, Phil’s life would change forever. He married the love of his life, Juanita Lynn Kirby, and together they embarked on a lifelong adventure of laughter and memories. A devoted father and husband, Phil never let his work take away from his time with his family. He and Juanita spent countless hours working on their home, which sometimes put his handy man skills to the test. There was also equal time devoted to the property as well. From working the garden to mowing on his and her lawnmowers, the hours spent taking care of the homestead was quality family time well spent. There wasn’t too much that Phil couldn’t fix or build, and somehow there always seemed to be extra hours in the day and days in the week to get everything done. However, no matter how busy things got, there was always time to sit and enjoy the wonder of watching a good storm roll in.
As the kids grew older and became more involved in sports and activities, Phil made his attendance a priority. Phil’s AT&T van was usually in the parking lot at most of the kids’ events, creating even more memories for the family to look back on.
Sports and politics were favorite topics for Phil. He would print out a monthly calendar, listing all the games, times, and channels, so he wouldn’t miss a thing. Playing football, basketball (his favorite), and running track at Sheridan H.S. instantly made him a lifetime Blackhawk fan, but he was equally dedicated to IU basketball and the Colts. If IU wasn’t playing, Phil would suck it up and turn on the Purdue game, just to get his basketball fix. And just like any self-respecting Hoosier, he loved the Indianapolis 500. Many a race day were spent in the backyard listing to the radio broadcast and cheering on his favorite driver, A.J. Foyt.
Family was everything to Phil. He was blessed to have gained even more family to cherish during his years at Parkwood. He enjoyed working large difficult puzzles, and his room became the hangout for those who were in the know. He loved visiting with everybody and was a wonderful support system for those who didn’t have anyone in their corner. Phil’s room ultimately became a part of the facility tour, and with that came ample opportunity to brag on his grandkids to visitors, residents, and staff alike. His years at Parkwood also helped him reconnect with his older brother, Harold. There was always a fun time to be had when those two would hop on the golf cart and drive around Lebanon.
On behalf of Phillip West, his family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to each and every person that touched his life while living at Parkwood. You provided him a great retirement and a wonderful environment for him to live and his family to visit. God Bless.
Phil is survived by his son, Brant Ragan West (Paige) of Lebanon; two daughters, Michelle Lynn Ramsey (Brett) of Reynolds and Mindi Lee Cheek (Travis) of rural Frankfort; 14 grandchildren, Braedon Ramsey (Levi), Broderick Ramsey (Nancy), Arianna Ramsey, Kyleigh Bolinger, Hayley Bolinger, Brayden Bolinger, Trace Cheek, Raigan Cheek, Kynlee Cheek, Trenton Cheek, Lauren West, Rachel West, Sarah West, and Hannah West; great-grandchild, Crew Ramsey; sister, Arilla June Holt of Florida; and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Thomas Ragan and Julia Ellen (Marlow) West; granddaughter, Morgan West; infant sister, Beth Ann West; brother, Harold Thomas West; sister and brother-in-law, Louise Price and husband Vernon; mother-in-law, Betty Egler; brothers-in-law, Ronald Kirby and Gerald “Butch” Kirby; and by his loving wife, Juanita Lynn (Kirby) West on June 4, 2019. She and Phil were married on September 10, 1972.
Services with military honors will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, January 25, 2024, at Kercheval Funeral Home, 306 E. 10th St., Sheridan, with visitation from 4 p.m. until the time of service. Pastor Robert Trafford will be officiating.
Phil will be laid to rest at Crown View Cemetery in Sheridan.
Condolences: kerchevalfuneralhome.com