Eldon Sylvester West

Eldon Sylvester West, III has gone on to his next great adventure.

He was born on September 17, 1948 to Jerry Louise May and Eldon Sylvester West, Jr. in Wichita, Kansas. He was a graduate of Wichita State University, earning a Bachelor of Science and a Master’s Degree in Geology. He then attended the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa studying Paleontology. During his field studies he discovered the tracks of a pterodactyl dinosaur at Black Mesa State Park in Oklahoma where they now remain in the Field Museum at Oklahoma State University. He was a member of Mensa.

In 1969 Eldon joined the United States Army and entered Special Forces as a Green Beret. He achieved the rank of Master Sergeant. He participated in multiply deployments over a thirty-year military career and after 9/11 he was reinstated to serve as a military intelligence liaison in Afghanistan. He returned home with the bronze star.

Eldon was a maverick in the oil and gas industry. He served as a petroleum geologist for Slawson Oil, Exxon, TXO and others before forming Dropzone Oil and Gas Company. He was a highly valued consultant, whose opinion shaped “Many a Deal”.   

Family meant everything to Eldon. He loved returning to the family farm in Pretty Prairie, Kansas. This farm was homesteaded by his maternal grandparents, Ira and Lura Durham. Always the adventurous hero of the family, he was idolized by the younger generation of the clan. Anyone who met Eldon was struck by his sense of humor and gentle heart.

Eldon is survived by his loving wife, Jan Shipman West; son, Logan, and his daughter-in-law, Jenna, and grandson, Laken; his mother, Jerry Sowell; his sister, Janis White (husband Jim) and nephews, Josh and James and families, his sister, Mandy Kentzler (husband Mark) and nephews, Jordan and Jake and families. He is also survived by his beloved dog, Sasha, and many, many friends.

A Graveside Service with full Military Honors will take place at 2:00 PM on Monday, November 25, 2019, at Coastal Bend State Veterans Cemetery.

Written condolences for Eldon Sylvester West may be left at www.trevinofuneralhome.net

In truth…………. “HE’D RATHER BE FISHING!”

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