George Ray West

George Ray West, age 77, of Knoxville, passed away in the early afternoon on Tuesday, October 4, 2022, at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. After graduating Ringgold High School (GA) in 1962, Ray chose to serve our country by joining the U.S. Army.  Ray spent much of his professional life as a successful salesman for various companies in Knoxville, while also devoting his time to coach Farragut youth sports.  After retirement and marrying Diana, Ray settled into his strict weekly routines of breakfast club with his buddies at Sami’s Cafe, mowing his and neighboring yards, and nightly dinners out at West Knoxville restaurants. Ray also enjoyed attending the University of Tennessee football and basketball games, while also celebrating any Alabama or Vanderbilt loss. Ray rarely missed watching Farragut High School football games each week unless he was traveling out of town to visit family or friends.  Ray had a wonderful sense of humor which he loved to share, especially with those who were taller as he was quick to offer a short joke, usually at his own expense followed by a shrug of the shoulders, a laugh, and then the words “I can’t help it.” Ray was a member of Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church, and after dedicating his life to the Lord at an early age, Ray is without a doubt in heaven where he will be cheering on the Vols from a much greater club level window seat. Ray is preceded in death by his first wife Patricia Knight West, son Richard (Rick) West, father Cecil West and mother Betty (Burnette) West.   Ray is survived by his wife Diana West, son Mike (Tiffiny) West, stepson Gavin (Kelli) Mabe, stepson Ryan (Jessica) Mabe, grandchildren Ashley and Thomas (Alexa) West, Brittany (Tim) Deboard, Zach and Nicholas West, Camden, Caroline, Rhett and Maren Mabe, great-grandson Lochlan Deboard, sisters-in-law Karen (Levourn) Wiggins and Pam (Lee) Ramsey, niece Jennifer (Rich) Nelson, nephews Kevin (Jordan) Ramsey, Andrew (Kelsey) Ramsey, and Clay (Grace) Wiggins, special son Charles Davis, brother, Stanley West, and a host of dear friends. The family will receive friends for visitation on Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at Mynatt Funeral Home Fountain City Chapel from 11:00am until time of funeral service at 1:00pm with Rev. Alan Edick officiating. Family and friends will then meet at Highland Memorial Cemetery, Southerland Dr., at 3:00pm for a graveside service with Military Honors provided by East TN Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, family is requesting that donations be made to the Second Harvest Food Bank or East TN Veterans Honor Guard. Condolences can be left for the family at www.mynattfh.com