John Charles West

John Charles West was born July 18, 1943, to Wendell & Bonnie West. John was the baby boy of three children born from this union. He was raised by Joyce Young(Moody) with his other siblings conceived from their marriage.

John was born and raised in Indianapolis, IN where he attended IPS grade schools. John graduated from Crispus Attucks High School and later attended IUPUI to become a millwright. After graduating high school, John worked at Claypool Hotel and quickly realized, “This is not for me.”

John then joined the military and served in the US National Guard for two years. Not challenging enough, he decided to join the US Marine Corps. He absolutely LOVED being a marine and was excited to tell those he knew and some he didn’t know, that he was a USMC veteran. With so much racism in those days, he was unable to move up in the ranks and decided to return home.

John met Phyllis Clay(Wimberly) after returning home and from this relationship, a daughter, Jacinta, was born. He also raised Ronald & Kevin Clay who he affectionately called “The Boys.”

John worked at Chrysler Foundry where he was a supervisor eventually retiring as a millwright in 2000. John met Vera while working at Chrysler and they were married in 1995 and spent the next 28 years happily married.

John lived his life on his terms and did what he wanted to do when he wanted to do it. He liked to have fun, laugh, joke, and most of all he loved all his family & friends genuinely and unconditionally.

John departed this earth on Wednesday, August 9, 2023. He was preceded in death by his father, Wendell, biological mother, Bonnie Sims, MaDear, Joyce Young(Moody), and brothers, Phillip, Daryl, and Robert West.

John leaves to cherish his memory wife Vera, daughter Jacinta(Cindy), Sons Ronald & Kevin Clay, Sisters Sandra(Howard) Cumberlander, Gwendolyn, Glenda, Thressa, Carolyn, Marilyn, Brother David, Clarence West & Jimmie and Will King, grandchildren Anthony(Baby Boy), Jasmine, Ciera, Kaprice, Tamika, Paige, Anastasia, Monisha, Cameron, Dashawn, 13 Great Grandchildren, 2 Great Great grandchildren, and a host of extended family and friends.