Robert "Buddy" O. West, Jr.

Robert Osborne West, Jr. (Buddy by ones close to him) left this earth on May 13, 2025, surrounded by his wife of 46 years, Tina West of the home, and his immediate family.

Robert loved his daughters, Lorna Neal of Maine with grandchildren, Ethan and Alyssa Neal, daughter, Stacy West of Craven County and granddaughter, Ivy Hardison; three sisters, Jean Davenport, Mary Cayton, and Joyce Swimm. He enjoyed the companionship of his younger brother, Woodrow West, deceased, where his love of riding Harleys first developed. Robert was born February 9th, 1949, to Robert and Trudy West of Asheville, NC.

After graduating from Pamlico County High School, Robert completed a year at Wayne Technical Institute and then began his work career with a small locally owned Carolina Telephone Company before enlisting in the US Navy. He proudly served his four years aboard the USS Forrestal and designated military ports. Upon return to civilian life, he resumed work with Carolina Telephone rising to an administrative role where he retired in 2009. Robert was supportive of his community through charitable events with the Shriners, enjoyed playing adult league softball, and loved riding his Harley with his best friend, Frank Brinson. He enjoyed gardening in spring along with fishing, marksmanship, and being a husband and father to his family. He became adept at grilling where he imparted much fatherly wisdom to his youngest daughter at the end of each day.

Robert had a strong moral code of right and wrong and staunchly stood by his friends. His Word was important and meaningful. His memory and spirit will live on in those who knew and loved him during his life. Robert West, Jr. may not physically remain with us, but he will never be forgotten by us.

A private family service and interment will be held.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be directed to Colonial Capital Humane Society, 1860 Old Airport Rd., New Bern, NC 28562.

Written by his daughter, Stacy.

My father rose from very humble roots to a man who can consider himself successful, but he did not do so easily. I watched my father work multiple jobs all my life, not because he needed to but because he had a desire to be more than he was at that time. He possessed an insatiable desire for more, but I believe it was his way of seeking security. He was the eldest boy of five children in a rural area with no jobs. He did not care for education, but was a man who loved to read. He attended grade school when students were graded on their appearances, cleanliness, manner of clothing, and graduated before the local school systems were desegregated. My father is similar to “The Boy Named Sue” penned by Shel Silverstein and performed by Johnny Cash. He truly had gravel in his gut, spit in his eye, and taught me the power of persistence, determination, and perseverance prevailing over all. He had the quote from Calvin Coolidge hanging in his office and folded it in the glove box of his 1985 4-speed Toyota LandCruiser, where he taught me how to drive a manual transmission. In the late 80’s early 90’s he taught me how to clean fish, drive an outboard motorboat, locate sandbars in the sound, dig for clams, lay fishing nets, how to garden, read a map, change a flat tire, explain the lingo inside insurance documents and car loans. He explained to me the difference between fact and fiction, there are always more than two sides to a story, but if you need to have a serious conversation with someone, make sure the two of you are the only two around; plausible deniability is a Godsend. My father in not a perfect man, but he was the perfect man to educate a daughter to navigate this crazy world. There were many nights spent by the grill, as he was cooking dinner, where I would hear tales of his life, and lessons he learned the hard way. If I learned nothing else from Robert West, I learned one thing: You live your life for yourself, and no one else. Be someone you want to sleep with every night. His mantra was “Kiss My A~, I’m going to do what’s right” and while lacking in decorum, it does possess simplistic beauty. Sadly, it took me years to figure out how to use this wisdom to my benefit because I had a lot of mistakes along the way. My father taught me our circumstances are not our conclusions. If an obstacle cannot be resolved by negotiation, redirection, mediation, or compromise then you go through what lies before you and come out stronger on the other side.