Ray West Jr.

Ray West Jr., 90, of Pine Bluff, died on March 22, 2020. Born Sebastian Ray West Jr. August 18, 1929 in Pine Bluff, he was the son of Corinne Smart West and Sebastian Ray West Sr. Ray West grew up in Pine Bluff, graduating from Pine Bluff High School in 1947. He attended college at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia, where he was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity and graduated in 1951. During the Korean War, West served in the United States Navy. He later moved to New York City where he worked for the American Broadcasting Company (ABC). Living in New York was a highlight of his life. While there he had the opportunity to get to know Eleanor Roosevelt. He often reminisced about his time with her and the impressions she made on him. In 1963, Ray West returned to Pine Bluff to join the family business, Smart Chevrolet Co. He remained at Smart Chevrolet for 44 years, serving as Secretary-Treasurer. He retired in 2007. Ray West was a member of Fifty for the Future and the UAMS Chancellor's Circle. Over the years, he enjoyed attending the races at Oaklawn in Hot Springs, as well as the Arkansas Symphony and the Pine Bluff Symphony. He was a lifetime member of the First Presbyterian Church in Pine Bluff. Survivors include his first cousin, Ethel Smart Dunklin, and cousins, Jane Smart Johnston (Billy), Meredith Smart Maxwell, Felix Smart (Tere), Elise Dunklin Eiken, Lee Smart (Laura), Dabney Dunklin Pelton (Tom), Roger Smart, Sr. (Julie), Bill Dunklin, Jr., and Philip Dunklin (Sanford). Memorials may be made to the First Presbyterian Church, 717 West 32nd Avenue, Pine Bluff, Arkansas 71603 or to UAMS, 4301 W. Markham Street, #716, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205 or giving.uams.edu. Arrangements were handled by Ralph Robinson and Son Funeral Directors (online register: www.ralphrobinsonandson.com).