George Marc West

George Marc West Marc was born George Marc West on February 12, 1943, in Jasper, Texas, to George Hall West and Jennie Lee West. Marc died at home in Austin with his family around him on October 18, 2007. Growing up in Kirbyville, Marc worked construction for his father, who was a plumbing contractor. During those hot summer days in the deep east Texas sun, Marc began to hone his myriad skills as a carpenter, electrician, mechanic and all-around handyman and to develop his extraordinary talent for understanding how the physical world works. Marc attended Abilene Christian University, Lamar University and the University of Texas. While attending Lamar, Marc met Leilani Dalton, and they were married in 1965. Shortly after their marriage, the couple moved to Houston, and Marc accepted a job as a manager in the network and traffic division of Southwestern Bell Telephone. Thirty years later, Marc retired from the telephone company, after a career marked by quiet competence, efficiency and an effective, humane management style. After retirement, Marc once again put on his handyman overalls. Marc was a volunteer for Habitat for Humanity, and in his spare time, he was the go-to guy for any friend or loved one who needed a washing machine fixed, wall sockets added or a lake cabin built. Despite the era in which Marc grew up, he loved and understood computers. After retirement, the world of computer technology became an obsession. Computers scattered among the houses of friends and family came to know and appreciate his sure-handed touch. Someone once joked that Marc should get a magnetic sign to slap on his car door, reading, “Computer Whiz, I make house-calls.” The only payment he would accept, though, was supper and conversation. Wit, Marc’s was wicked, and camaraderie were among the currencies of Marc’s life. This is not an obituary for a saint. Marc was a flawed man, as all of us are flawed. Marc died much too soon and much too suddenly because those flaws developed cancerous fangs that ravaged his body and overtook his stoic courage. Marc was a contained man and, as his father before him, Marc tended to keep others at a comfortable distance. The deep love he felt for his family and friends was an inchoate love, wedged in Marc’s heart. But he was world-class at hand-crafting the love he felt. Those fortunate to be included in his circle of caring were blessed again and again by the generosity of his time and his deeds of kindness. And as someone pointed out, Marc’s deeds of kindness, unlike so many others, were always sooooo competent. His ability to articulate the solution to a problem coupled with his infinite patience in helping someone grasp that solution made him an immensely talented teacher as well. One of his sons said near Marc’s death, “Pop was the greatest teacher I ever had.” Marc is survived by his widow, Cara Leilani Dalton West, son and daughter-in-law, Blake West and Alyssa Joseph-West, son and daughter-in-law, Jeremy West and Huan Pham, and one toddler grandson, Luke Daniel West. Marc, I know how much you silently grieved that you wouldn’t be able to watch your grandson grow into manhood. I also know how much Luke will miss knowing you and all you had to give. Marc, dear Marc, if good can come out of an event so tragic, it is that as your life ebbed away, many of the people you’d helped rushed to help you, and you realized at last how much you truly meant to those blessed to stand near you. You were a good man, Marc. You will be sorely missed. A service celebrating Marc’s life will be held on Saturday, October 27, 2007, at 2:00 pm at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home at 3125 N Lamar, Austin, Texas 78705. If you can come, please, bring a memory or story that celebrates Marc’s life. The family will receive fellow celebrants from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please, make a donation to Habitat for Humanity Austin, 310 N Comal, #100, Austin, Texas 78702. Or better yet, get out in the hot Texas sun, find a Habitat house and hammer a few nails in Marc’s memory. Obituary and guestbook online at wcfish.com