Gaylord Kill) West

Gaylord (Road Kill) West was born February 8, 1938, in Allen, Kansas, to Willard (Bill) Wallace West and Loie Mae Spade. He died at home in Emporia, March 18, 2014, the day after St. Patrick's Day. He was 76.

Gaylord graduated from Emporia High School in 1956 and joined the U.S. Marines in September of 1957. He was stationed in the Philippines and also in Hawaii when it became a state in 1959. After his discharge from the Marines in 1962, Gaylord worked in California driving an ice cream truck and at a plastic factory. He worked for the Forest Service in Oregon before coming home to Emporia to attend Kansas State Teacher's College. Gaylord worked for the Santa Fe/Burlington Northern Railroad until his retirement in 1998. After retirement, Gaylord was co-owner of Toad Hollow Daylily and Iris Farm.

Gaylord met Nina Winn of Osawatomie, KS, in the KSTC Biology Building; he ran away when introduced to her pet tarantula. Gaylord and Nina were married March 8, 1965, at the Historic Council Grove Courthouse. The marriage license cost $3 which he had to borrow. The couple just celebrated 49 years together.

Gaylord is survived by his wife, Nina; daughter, Tracy Hurd and her husband Trace of Austin, TX; son, Scott Caleb and his wife Suzanne of Emporia, KS; brother, Gary and his wife Nancy of Enumclaw, WA; and mother Loie West of Emporia. Gaylord's grandchildren are Mackenzie and Taryn West and Connor and Palmer Hurd. Gaylord was preceded in death by his daughter Becki Sue, his father "Bill," and his favorite girl "Janie."

Gaylord was a kind and good man. During his lifetime, he made a point of traveling to every state in the US. These were a few of his favorite things: Schlitz beer, "Road Kill" (his own home-made beef jerky), Jeopardy, and St. Patrick's Day.

Cremation has taken place. A private service will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Hand in Hand Hospice of Emporia, 1201 W. 12th Avenue, Emporia, KS, and the St. Patrick's Day Committee of Emporia, P.O. Box 1111, Emporia, KS 66801.