Dennis West

Reverend Dennis E. West June 8, 1948 ~ June 30, 2016 Dennis Earle West entered the world on the sunny, summer day of June 8, 1948 in Racine, Wisconsin. Born to Derrick and Lillian West, he joined the ranks of six-year-old sister Judy (Strouse) and two-year-old brother Jim. Dennie, as he was affectionately known by family and friends, grew up in a three-bedroom farmhouse near the Town of Raymond in southeast Wisconsin and was involved all types of extracurricular activities, including 4-H, drama, and the Raymond Congregational Church youth group. On a snowy Saturday in December of 1952, a passing car struck four-year-old Dennie as he was trying to cross the road. On the way to the hospital, Derrick and Lillian prayed that if God would spare their son, they would dedicate him fully to the Lord’s work. They never mentioned this to anyone until just a few years ago as they didn’t want to influence any decisions as he grew. Dennis graduated from Union Grove High School in 1966 following stellar accomplishments in both academics and athletics, and received the prestigious Dick Dilley award, the highest senior-level honor. His awards also included football and baseball All-Conference First Team, All-State Honorable Mention in football, and Mr. Theater. He received an athletic scholarship to Valparaiso University in Indiana, and earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1970. In his collegiate years, he was filled with the Holy Spirit as described in John 3:5 and Acts 2:38; ironically, this new birth experience occurred on his natural birthday in 1969. While at home between semesters, Dennis would go with Judy to Bethel Tabernacle, pastored by Reverend Lewis E. Manuwal. It was during this time that one of Reverend Manuwal’s daughters, Rebecca, the church organist, caught the young engineer’s eye, and they soon began courting. It also was during this period that the New York Mets baseball organization began courting Dennis, but his calling to the ministry was growing stronger than a desire for fame and fortune. After college, Dennis returned to the Racine area to work for InSinkErator as an engineer and attended Bethel Tabernacle, where aforementioned Reverend Manuwal, a renowned Bible scholar, mentored him in hermeneutics and apologetics. Dennis’ love for the Word of God grew along with his affection for Becky, and they were married on August 15, 1970. Reverend William Sciscoe became their pastor when Dennis’ father-in-law returned to the evangelistic field; Brother Sciscoe became a beloved mentor and sounding board to Dennis throughout the years. While in Racine, they welcomed the arrival of their first child, Christopher, in 1973. Feeling a ministerial call to Western Colorado, Den, Becky and baby Chris arrived in Grand Junction in December of 1973. To keep his family fed while the fledgling church body developed, Den worked as an engineer at Roberts Electric. Jennifer, their second child, entered the scene in 1974 and filled the house with joy. Pastor West, as he became known throughout the Grand Valley, shepherded the small congregation of Life Tabernacle on 29 Road and started a Christian school in 1980 with just 13 students and two teachers. With a growing church and school body, Pastor West and his brother Jim embarked upon a major building program just one mile north at 636 29 Road. They built a large sanctuary with adjacent school facilities in several phases to house the growing number of parishioners, faculty and students who called Life Tabernacle and K-12 Life Academy home. It became a place of worship and warmth for those seeking solace, spiritual strength, and academic structure for their lives. As the church and school grew, so did the West household. In 1989, third child Derek arrived on the scene. He was the precursor of continued joy as grand-daughters Finley and Brylie stole the show. They were the apples of his eye. Over the past 43 years, Pastor West mentored thousands of church members, other pastors, and countless students and young people. Many adults across the nation consider him the father they never had. The funeral service will be held Tuesday, July 5, 2016, at 1:00 p.m. at the Victory Life Church, 2066 Highway 6 & 50, Fruita, Colorado 81521. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Pastor West Memorial Fund at www.gofundme.com.