Leonard West

Leonard Alan West passed from this life 18 Dec. 2014 at Hospice Homecare in Little Rock, Ark. after a whirlwind illness that took him and his loved ones by storm. He was born 31 March 1950 in Middlebury, VT as the only child to Ethel E. Leonard and Francis G. West. Leonard is predeceased by half-brother Paul West. He is survived by wife, Shirley and their beloved dog Lucy; ex-wife, Aileen and their daughters, Patricia West, and Lauren Hardy and her husband Travis; half-brother, Roger West and his wife Ruth; half sister, Mary Lou Shedd; and aunt, Marion Ramsdell. He also left behind grandchildren Maeve and Declan. He was a loving father, husband, grandfather and friend to all. Leonard, better known as Len or Lennie, attended Burr Pond School, a one room school house in Sudbury, Vt. until grade eight and then Otter Valley Union High School in Brandon, Vt. until he graduated in 1968. He furthered his education at New Hampshire Technical Institute and graduated in 1970 with an Associate's Degree in Automotive. In 1971, Leonard joined the Army National Guard as an auto mechanic. He continued his lifelong military career as recruiter, retention officer, career counselor, and instructor. However, his favorite roles were mentor and comrade to the hundreds of soldiers he met across the United States. Len spent over thirty years in service earning countless awards and accolades. He retired in 2007 as Master Sergeant. Lennie had a zest for life with many joys including family, politics, cooking, animals, and nature, but his passion for racing served as the predominant driving force in his life. Len was a spectator, pit crew member, driver, race promoter, racecar designer and master builder. Len owned and operated two racetracks in his lifetime, Sugar Hill Speedway in Weare, N.H. and later with wife Shirley, North Central Arkansas Speedway in Flippin, Ark. His childlike wonder and enthusiasm for racing converted the racing sceptic into an immediate fan. He was a beloved father who savored taking his girls on his life's adventures. He imparted to them his intense determination, his call to help those in need, his exemplary work ethic, his love of a good debate, and his sense of humor. Len's quick wit and one line zingers delighted himself and his friends. His smiling Irish eyes, a grin that stretched ear to ear, and deep belly laugh were infectious and will be deeply missed. Visitation will be Monday, Dec 22, from 6 until 8 p.m. at Huson Funeral Home in Sherwood, Ark. Funeral Services will be at 10 a.m. on Dec. 23, 2014 at Huson Funeral Home in Sherwood, Ark. Burial is scheduled for Dec. 31, 2014 at 11 a.m. with full military honors at the Arkansas State Veterans' Cemetery in North Little Rock, Ark. Sign an online guestbook at www.husonfuneralhome.com.