Edwin Laverne West

Known for his integrity and leadership, Dr. Ed L. West passed away on April 7, 2024. He lived a life that inspired others to higher levels of achievement with each and every challenge.

Ed was born July 29, 1928, in San Antonio, Texas to Martin Theodore West and Mildred Cleo Duval. As a teenager, he learned the printing trade in his father’s print shop. Ed joined the U.S. Marine Corp in July 1945 and was stationed at South Carolina’s Parris Island when the atomic bomb ended World War II. He was discharged at the rank of Sergeant in September 1946.

In 1947, Ed married Bobbie Lucille Self and had two sons, Michael and Patrick. By day, Ed supported his family as Business Manager at Harlandale ISD and by night he earned a B.B.A in Management and Economics from St. Mary’s University in 1963, followed by a master’s in education from Our Lady of the Lake University in 1966 and later in life, a doctorate in Educational Administration in 1979 from Western Colorado University in Grand Junction, Colorado.

In 1967, Ed joined San Antonio’s Northeast ISD as Assistant Superintendent of Business during a period of doubling growth in enrollment and number of schools. In 1977, Ed was named Superintendent as the district grew to be the state’s twelfth largest school system with 34,000 students and 3,000 employees. Some of his major accomplishments include funding building programs through a series of successful bond issues in a climate of taxpayer unrest, highly regarded instructional quality through recognition and support of teachers and receiving the honor of being named the 1980 President of the Association of School Business Officials of the U.S. and Canada (ASBO) as well as the Educator of the Year by the same organization. Ed retired from Northeast ISD in 1987. Touching the lives of students was Ed’s most treasured experience during his career.

With still lots to contribute to his profession, Ed served as the Executive Director of the Texas Association of School Business Officials (TASBO) from 1982 through 1990. He is remembered for setting the early fledgling organization on the path to a leading educational establishment, providing career-advancing credentials for school business officials throughout the state.

In 1975 Ed met and married Mickey Marlin. In a relationship of mutual love and nurturing support, both flourished in their personal and professional lives. Their thirty-eight years of marriage were the happiest times. Ed and Mickey retired to Blue Lake in 1987 and then Horseshoe Bay, serving the community through multiple boards and associations. Active members of the Church at Horseshoe Bay, Ed served a term on the church board and sang in the Highland Lakes Men’s Chorus, entertaining audiences across the Hill Country with their patriotic and gospel tributes. Ed loved and faithfully cared for Mickey through multiple health crises culminating in her death from Alzheimer’s disease in 2013.

Ed believed in Christ and lived to please God. He was faithful in worship and prayer. In addition to church activities, Ed enjoyed singing, growing roses, golfing with his buddies, grilling, and hosting his kids and grandkids at his home in Horseshoe Bay.

Ed is survived by his children, Michael and Patrick and wife Karen, Gail Davalos and husband Rudy, David Marlin and wife Judy, Kenneth Marlin and wife Pat, his grandchildren Marcus, Jacob, Christopher Thompson and wife Vanessa, Aubrey, Kevin and wife Heather, Eric and wife Kristen, Audry Trevino and husband Chris, Cheryl Russell and husband Adam, Jacque Leo and Jason Marlin plus 25 great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his brother Bennie West and grandchildren Stacy and Jack Burke.

A memorial service will be held at the Church at Horseshoe Bay at 11:00 on Saturday, April 20. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Church at Horseshoe Bay. The family of Ed L. West wishes to thank his trusted caregivers who attended him during his long journey home, especially his most beloved Maria Hernandez and her family.