MR. RONALD LEE WEST, affectionately known as "Ronnie", was born on September 19, 1953, toMarian L. West-Yarbrough and Charlie West in Indianapolis, IN. Ronald accepted Christ at an earlyage. His parents and grandparents instilled Christianity, honesty, integrity, hard work, education, andlaughter in their household.Ronald graduated from Crispus Attucks High School in 1971 and attended the University of Alabamaat Huntsville on a sports and academic scholarship. Ronald then attended IUPUI and played basketball,before his entire team was later inducted into IUPUI's Basketball Hall of Fame.Ronald was appointed to the Indianapolis Fire Department on November 5, 1975. He was promotedto Chauffeur and assigned to Truck 05 in September of 1979. He stayed there until Ladder 05 wasclosed in February of 1994, and went to become the Engineer of Strike Rig 05, before making hisfinal transfer to be the Engineer of Engine 30. He retired from the Indianapolis Fire Department onDecember 31, 2010. His signature meal at the fire station was perch and spaghetti.Ronald was also a meter reader part-time at Citizens Gas Company Utilities from March 7, 1983until April 11, 2005.Ronald was united in Holy Matrimony to Lana Hardy on February 10, 1979, and through this lovingunion came the birth of Ronic and Rosheena West. After sixteen years of marriage and partnershiptheir union came to an end. Ronald met and was united in Holy Matrimony to Tehani Porter on July26, 1997, and through this union he welcomed six stepchildren: Netahi Solomon, Jason Jones, JonathanPorter Sr., Tiffany Ackles, Joseph Porter, and Barbara Edwards. Together they shared many yearsof dancing, memories, and laughter. Ronald was a great man that raised two families that cherishedand adored him dearly.Ronnie was a loving husband, father, brother, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great uncle,nephew, friend and confidant to all that loved , enjoyed and respected him. Ronnie was known for hisjokes and sense of humor. He will be greatly missed by all that knew and loved him dearly. Ronald LeeWest departed this life on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at the age of seventy surrounded by family.He was preceded in death by: his wife, Tehani Porter; father, Charlie West; sister, Nicole West,affectionately known by Ronnie as "Nickels & Dimes"; stepson, Jason Jones; and best friend sincekindergarten, James "Jimmy" Johnson.He leaves to cherish in his loving memory: daughters, Ronic and Rosheena West; stepchildren, NetahiSolomon (Eward), Jonathan Porter Sr. (Andrea), Tiffany Ackles (Robert), Joseph Porter and BarbaraEdwards (Matthew); mother, Marian L. West-Yarbrough; sisters, Donna West-Southers, and PatriciaWest; brothers, Gary (Gloria) and Kenneth West; thirty-one grandchildren; five great- grandchildren;and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.
