Harry West

1926 - 2014

Harry West obituary, 1926-2014, Statesville, NC

BORN

1926

DIED

2014

FUNERAL HOME

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home

705 Davie Ave

Statesville, North Carolina

Harry West Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Jan. 26, 2014.

Mr. Harry West, 87, of 116 E. Broad St. Statesville, died Saturday, January 25th at the Gordon Hospice House.
Born in Stuttgart, Germany on June 11, 1926, he was a son of the late Isadore West and Erna Lange West. He was the owner and operator of Harry & Jeanie West Fine Musical Instruments in Statesville. He loved music and musical instruments and started collecting instruments in the 1940's and was very talented, able to play anything with strings. He served in the United States Army.
On July 31, 1951, he married the former Barbara Jean West who survives.
He was preceded in death by a son, Everett West.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by two sons, Scott West and James West and his wife, Annie all of Statesville, and a daughter, Mrs. Kathy Berard and her husband, Bobby of Yorktown Heights, New York. Also surviving are two grandsons, Billy and Robert Berard.
Services celebrating Harry's life will be conducted at 7:00 P.M. this evening (Monday) at the Westmoreland Chapel of Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home with Rev. Connor Lambert officiating. The family will receive friends immediately following the service. Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery on Tuesday at 11:00am.
Condolences may be sent online to the family at www.bunchjohnsonfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be given to Hospice & Palliative Care Of Iredell County, 2347 Simonton Rd. Statesville, N.C. 28625. Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.

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February 14, 2014

Bill Knowlton

what an influence he (and Jeanie) were on me in the 50s when I was first getting into oldtime country music. Rest in peace in Fiddlers' Green, Harry.

Bill Knowlton WCNY Syracuse NY

February 13, 2014

Harry was one of a kind. An inspiration and a true friend.

February 10, 2014

Rick Everhardt

So sorry to hear of Harry's passing. I always enjoyed visiting the shop and bought my first "good" mandolin from Harry. I remember one day sitting in the shop and a customer came in the front door and asked Harry if he would be interested in trading. He said yes to the man, just as long as it wasn't a "refrigerator or a lawn mower".

February 8, 2014

Günther and Hillie Siegmann

So sad, the news of Harrys disappearance. We shall never forget him - he always was an great example of how to carry on even in a hopeless situation; he was a good husband and a great example in any respect.
God bless Harry.

February 2, 2014

Stan Werbin

When I got in the music business in 1972, Harry was already a legend, as he was years ahead of just about everyone else in his appreciation of prewar acoustic instruments. I never met him when I was growing up in NYC, but after I opened my music store in Michigan I corresponded with him and occasionally spoke with him over the telephone. It was always a pleasure to talk to him and I wish I had met him in person. My condolences to the entire family.

February 1, 2014

George Gruhn

I first heard about Harry West when I started collecting instruments in 1963. I did not have the opportunity to meet him in person until 1967 but when I visited his home in the Bronx at that time we forged a friendship which endured for a lifetime. Harry was a positive influence for me and numerous other players and collectors.  He was a true pioneer who recognized earlier than virtually anyone else that fine vintage American fretted instruments were true works of art with iconic historic significance in addition to being functional tools. He was an inspiration to all of us. He will be greatly missed.

February 1, 2014

Sandy Rothman

Dear Jeanie and Family,

It is with great sadness that I learn of Harry's passing. I met him first in NYC at his apartment in 1963 but we continued corresponding into the email age up to this past year. Some of my friends got their finest instruments at affordable prices from Harry in the 1960s. He was a great letter-writer and a faithful friend, never failing to ask after other musical instrument folks (like the late Jon Lundberg here in Berkeley), and he was always available to answer questions or just chat. I will miss him very much.

Sincere condolences,
Sandy

January 30, 2014

Dan Del Fiorentino

Thinking of his family and sending my prayers. I got to meet Harry last year after hearing so much about him. What a legacy!

January 28, 2014

Randy Mullis

To the West family, Sorry to hear of your loss.Harry was a great friend to me and would always help me anyway he could. I always enjoyed visiting Harry and listening to the stories he would tell. I know he will be missed by you as well as his friends. Just glad I was able to be lucky enough to be his friend.God Bless you all from the staff of Mullis Music Co.

January 28, 2014

Bob Bunch

Scott and family ......Sorry about the loss of your father,Jeanie, your husband.

January 28, 2014

Tom Molyneaux

Condolences from everyone at Saga Musical Instruments. Harry was one of those special musicians that cannot be replaced. You will be missed by a lot of people whose lives you touched in ways you probably didn't even realize! A true original.

January 28, 2014

Goodbye Harry, I enjoyed our correspondence via hand written letters we shared some years ago. My condolences to family and friends.

S. M. McCoy

January 27, 2014

Lisa Ford

My heart breaks that I was not able to hold his hand and tell him how much he meant to me, but I feel he knew. I will forever treasure the letters he sent to me and the kind words of wisdom he taught me over the years. He is at Peace now with Everett and they are playing with the rest of the Angels. He touched my heart deeply and taught me a lot. I admired everything about him...first words he ever spoke to me years ago...Do you have any Tattoos?..he was straight to the point and no beating around the bush! Not only has the Family lost a Father , Grandfather and Husband...but the World has lost a good Honest Friend ! I love you Harry and will see you again one day!

January 27, 2014

Mark Parchment

My most sincere condolences on Harry's passing. I know it is a hard thing for the family to lose him, but be consoled by all those whose lives he brightened along the way. I know he did mine. I always enjoyed pulling up a bench and talking with Harry!

January 27, 2014

I spent quite a bit of time at Harry's house in Durham, NC when I lived there in the late 80's. I bought many different instruments from him, played my first Loar and he let me play his D-45. Every visit was like a class and I left happier and with knowledge newly found.

My condolences to the family, and please know that Harry was much appreciated by many, perhaps the least of whom is myself.

Duane L.

January 27, 2014

I was fortunate enough to meet Mr. Harry West and buy a great instrument from him and enjoyed talking to him. He will be missed, may GOD bless his family. Steve Henson Chester S.C.

January 27, 2014

Pat Conte

Very sorry to hear of the passing one one of the true trailblazers in the original NYC roots music movement going back to the 1940s. Harry was a legendary part of America's musical history as a participant, a wheel-hoss, and a resource to generations- as well as that integral part of the formative years before "folk" was an industry.

January 27, 2014

Curt Roseman

My wife and I had the pleasure of hearing Harry & Jeanie back in the '70s at some small venues. Harry was gracious enough to spend some time chatting with us between set. He was a fine piece of work.
Curt & Barbara Roseman

January 27, 2014

Donnie Lott

Harry supplied the instruments that help make bluegrass better.

Psalms 121 to the family

January 27, 2014

John Cockman, Sr.

My deepest condolences to the West Family. I will miss Harry and his unique personality, his smile and the personal consideration he always afforded me. May God richly bless and comfort the West Family during their time of great loss.

January 27, 2014

Tom Mylet

Harry generously shared his knowledge of music, musicians and instruments with a remarkably sly sense of humor. He will be missed by all who knew him.

January 27, 2014

Joseph Peknik

I had many musical instrument adventures with Harry and one memorable one was he and I spending the day with Mario Maccaferri

January 27, 2014

Steven Uhrik

With deep condolences to the West family and friends. I will cherish memories of Harry's music, humor, and mentor-ship.

January 27, 2014

Steven Block

I knew Harry only by his considerable reputation, but I've always held him in the highest esteem. He touched many, many lives through his music and his love of instruments. I knew of Harry because I play banjo, mandolin, and guitar, and he figured prominently in that world. My mother was born in Germany (in 1925, in Wuertzburg; my grandmother was from Stuttgart) and fled the Nazis with her family to America, so I suppose I have that small connection, as well. The acoustic music community has lost one of its great figures. Please accept my sincerest condolences.

Prof. Steven Block
Dept. Applied Physics
Stanford University

January 27, 2014

Terry & Cindy Baucom

We will miss Harry's sense of humor and musical knowledge. He was a pleasure to know and work with. We are honored to have known him.

January 27, 2014

Jeff Michael

So sorry for your loss

January 26, 2014

cathy wicker

Heaven has gained a new light

January 26, 2014

Annie Campbell-West

I love and miss dad already, I know my life will never be the same again! Opening the store everyday without seeing his smiling face will never be easy! RIP dad,until we meet again, I LOVE YOU, Annie <3

January 26, 2014

Bunch-Johnson Funeral Home

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.

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705 Davie Ave, Statesville, NC 28677

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