VERLAND WEST

Verland was born on December 13, 1944, in Weston, WV, a son of the late Junior Ralph and Thelma (Crislip) West. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his stepmother, Teresa Petrelle West; his beloved wife, Carma (Bird) West; one sister, Janet Waggoner; and two brothers, Theron, and Richard West; a son in law, Gregory Harper; and two brothers in law, Jerry Bird, and Ronald Bird.

Verland will always be remembered as one of the best athletes to have ever graduated from Follansbee High School, doing so in 1963. He excelled in everything he attempted; baseball, football, basketball, track, the trampoline, and diving board. To this day he is still talked about fondly, not only as a great athlete and teammate, but as a man who wore many hats. He was a kind friend, steelworker, policeman, golfer, coach, board member, caregiver, karaoke singer, and mostly a Godly family man and faithful servant.

He was offered a scholarship to attend Purdue University to further his studies and athletics, but his life at home did not afford him that opportunity. Thankfully, his one constant was his high school sweetheart, Carma Bird, whom he married in 1965. Many people will remember his early years working at the James Funeral Home and the iconic Jo Jons before moving his family to Maryland. While there, he attended the police academy and started his career as a police officer in Metropolitan DC. When times changed and the area became unstable, he moved back to his hometown to raise his family in a stable environment. He accepted a job at Weirton Steel and took on a second job as a part time Follansbee Police Officer.

Verland and Carma lived out their days in Follansbee as faithful Christians, attending the Church of Christ where he developed a new love for singing. Eventually they made their way south to Ft. Myers, FL as snowbirds, until fully retiring there in their happy place. He was a faithful husband and an attentive care giver to Carma until her passing in 2021. He remained there until Hurricane Ian forced him to move back home to the Ohio Valley. He finished living out his days in the home of his brother Kermit and sister-in- law Dawna. Verland’s children would like to acknowledge them for the care and companionship that they provided for him in his time of need. He will be greatly missed by family and friends, both north and south.

Verland is survived by two children, Tammy Harper of Follansbee, WV, Daniel (Amy) West of Rockville, MD; five grandchildren, Nathan (Samantha) Harper of Wheeling, WV, Sydney (Brandon) Parra of Columbia, MD, Chad Harper of Follansbee, WV, Reese and Charlie West of Rockville, MD; two great grandchildren, Hudson and Hayes Parra; two brothers, Kermit (Dawna) West of Weirton, WV, Kenneth (Mary Tarr) West; sister in law, Janet (Jim) Piccirillo, and sister in law Jane Bird all of Follansbee, WV; several nieces and nephews.

There will be no visitation.

All services and inurnment are being held privately at Highland Hills Memorial Gardens at the convenience of the family.

Condolences may be sent to: www.mullen bachfh.com