Dennis Carl West

Dennis Carl West, age 69, passed away on August 24, 2020 in Enumclaw, Washington.  He was born on November 21, 1950 in Britton, South Dakota, the child of Carl Matt West and Dorothy Mae Gemar West Olson. Dennis joined the US Army in 1971 and was honorably discharged in 1975.  He followed that with active duty National Guard reserve for many years.  Dennis married Connie Chastain on October 9, 1976.  

Dennis’ first love was his family, Connie his wife of 43 years, his children and grandchildren.   

He was very passionate about farming and cattle his entire life. John Deere tractors were a way of life and trains and westerns were a favorite past time. Dennis was a heavy equipment operator spanning four decades and a past President of the King/Pierce Farm Bureau.  Dennis had a sharp sense of wit, an awesome memory for faces and names, and was a friend to everyone. 

His eldest daughters' fondest memory was haying. Matt drove the tractor, Sarah and Dad tossed up the bails, Jennifer stacked, Mom drove the truck and Stephanie watched. When we were working with dad he always said, “give her hell” or yelled “full throttle” or “don’t milk the boy cows!”

Dennis was a special grandpa. He put a silver dollar in a ziplock bag for Cameron and Adyson and buried it by the chicken house so Cameron could find it with his metal detector while “looking for treasure”.  His grandkids would sit on his lap playing with his pocket watch and dig through his bib chest pockets for the wonders they contained. Every morning he would drive by his daughter's house and honk and often stop by and pull candy out of his bib overalls for the kids. 

He had a John Deere 730 diesel tractor needing a head gasket. He hurried to get the parts so he and his son could make the repairs together. They tore it apart and put it together only to discover it wouldn’t start and his disappointment was apparent.  It took time, but they finally got it running. When it turned over he had the biggest sh*t-eating grin on his face, he had conquered the world with his son’s help!

His youngest daughter enjoyed riding with her Dad on his Harley because he always stopped for treats. They had a unique way of communicating and he taught her how to drive the tractor, feed the cows and bottle feed the calves.  She was always his little helper and shadow.

Dennis had a nickname for everyone, always had smile, a unique chuckle, a friendly hello for every stranger he met and was always there to help anyone. Dennis's passion for farming led to his involvement in 4H and FFA with his children.

Dennis is survived by his loving wife, Connie; his children, Sarah Brownsworth (Dennis) of Kennewick, Washington, Jennifer Carbone (Shane) of Enumclaw, Washington, Matthew West (Katie) of Graham, Washington and Stephanie West (Fred McKee) of Enumclaw, Washington; grandchildren, Dennis Brownsworth, Cameron and Adyson Carbone, Savannah and Eli West and Brayden and Kaylin Morrow. He is preceded in death by his mother and father, Dorothy and Carl.

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