Roger E. West

Roger E. West, 83, of Oneida, Tennessee passed into the arms of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on January 23, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family.  Roger was preceded in death by his mother and father, William E. (“Champ”) and Wilma West and his mother-in-law and father-in-law Hubert and Alma Baldwin. 

He is survived by his loving wife of 60 years, Rose Baldwin West and his adoring children: R. Gregory West and wife Lisa, Chris West and Miche Rose; Grandchildren, Matthew West and wife Melissa, Tyler West and wife Alison, Stacia West, Dylan West and wife Kayci, Pyper West, Dannon West, Lucas West and fiancé Cydney White, Dallas West and wife Sara, Mallory Delk, Chaya Rose and Bristol Rose; Great-Grandchildren, Brody West, Brielle West, Sullivan West, Ada Bell West, Ancil West; Siblings, Colleen Lay and husband Buford of Westchester, Ohio, Joan Keeton of Helenwood, Mac West of Helenwood, Frank West and wife Rebecca of Huntsville, Jim West and wife Yvonne of Helenwood; Brother-in-law and Sister in Law Jack E. Lay and wife Sharon of Oneida; and numerous nieces, nephews and other family.

Roger was a businessman for over 60 years. In the late 1950’s he joined with his future father-in-law, Hubert Baldwin, and later brother-in-law Jack Lay to found West Coal Corporation.  West Coal operated underground and surface mining operations in east Tennessee and southeast Kentucky from the early 1970’s until 1995. With 2 preparation plants and unit train loadout capabilities, West was a major supplier of utility grade coal to TVA, Florida Power and Light, Carolina Power and Light and other utilities in the southeastern United States.  West Coal was the largest producer of coal in Tennessee with approximately 1,000 employees in the mid-1980’s. Roger was a former president of Facts About Coal in Tennessee, an industry organization dedicated to the advancement and promulgation of Tennessee coal as an energy resource.  In 1989, he affiliated with Rudy Resources, an oil and gas producer with extensive mineral interests and a refinery in southern Alabama.  Roger was a majority shareholder in First Trust and Savings Bank of Oneida which was sold to McCreary Bancshares (now operating as United Cumberland Bank) in 1993.  In 1996 he became involved and invested in Jewelry Television, a home shopping network specializing in jewelry and gemstones and based in Knoxville.  

Roger accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior in 1981 and became a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church of Oneida where he served as a deacon and trustee.

A Graveside service will be held Friday, January 29, 2021 at 1 p.m. in the Carson Memorial Park in Oneida, Tennessee with Dr. Steve Hodges and Bro. Jim West officiating.

Roger’s grandsons will be serving as pallbearers.

In Lieu of Flowers, donations may be made to the Bethlehem Baptist Church Life Center Building Fund, 19360 Alberta St., Oneida, TN   37841.

With the Health Guidelines in place at this time, we ask that you be mindful of the social distancing measures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control.  Masks are required.

Jones & Son Funeral Home is serving the family of Roger E. West.

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