With one eye on the rear-view mirror keeping track of family history, and the other clearly focused on inspirational vistas, Donald W. West, 84, enjoyed a full life. Grounded from an early age in the benefits of scripture reading, hymn singing, and developing a deep and abiding faith in Christ, Don reflected a patient endurance imbued with hopeful, reassuring confidence. While Donald peacefully fell asleep in Statesville, NC somewhere between Sunday January 8 & Monday January 9, 2023, he woke up greeting eternity leaving the world short of one of its more charismatic visionaries.

Donald was born in Oak Park, IL in 1938 to “Wyn” and “Dor” West. He was the second of five children and the oldest son. He spent his formative years in Wheaton, IL. He attended Lowell Elementary and Wheaton High School, where he participated in sports, band, theater, and school government. For a time, he was deeply involved in Youth for Christ. Living close to Wheaton College and attending College Church enabled Don to spend time on the college campus and in Wisconsin at the school’s Northwoods camp, Honey Rock, cultivating life-long relationships with contemporaries, coaches, and teachers well before he attended the college. Don was part of Wheaton’s Centennial class of 1960 and often reminisced about these days. He maintained many close relationships from this span of his life.

During sophomore year, Don had the opportunity to walk Bonita Behn home from a New-Comer’s party. They hit it off well, and despite Bonnie transferring to Northwestern University, they continued dating and married shortly after graduation in June of 1960. The couple packed up and moved to Berkeley, CA, where Don attended UC Berkeley’s Boalt Hall. He graduated with a JD degree in 1963, passed the Bar exam in both California and Illinois, and the couple returned to Chicago, where Don established himself as a lawyer, working for Kirkland & Ellis. Not one to stick to a singular pursuit, Don left the law firm in 1969 to begin exploring a range of entrepreneurial interests, both nationally and internationally.

Throughout his life, Donald was involved in many different philanthropic and charitable activities. The Volunteer Legal Aid Association, Illinois Arts Council, Lake Forest/Lake Bluff School Board, Lake Forest Symphony, The Society of Mayflower Descendants in the State of Illinois, the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, and the Friends of Historic Second Church Foundation are some of the organizations where Donald played active leadership roles.

Don’s love for sports carried throughout his life as well. When a youth soccer organization expanded its program to Lake Forest, IL, Bonnie not only signed their three daughters up to play, but also signed Don up as a coach. Thus began his journey with the American Youth Soccer Organization. Donald eventually ended up becoming the National Board President. In 1997, he was inducted into the AYSO Hall of Fame and simultaneously received a Life-Time Achievement award for his contributions to the development of youth soccer. The sport he personally enjoyed competing in was sailing. He learned to sail as a young boy, and as in all things, he strove to excel. Don had the opportunity to own/skipper and race a C&C 30’ boat he called “Patriot” on the Great Lakes. In his first season, he won the coveted Chicago to Mackinac race at the section and division levels. While other pursuits prevented him from staying on the lakes, the love of sailing never left his blood.

Over Donald’s life, pursuing excellence, being a good communicator, paying attention to God’s word, and developing his faith were all guiding forces that directed his steps. On many levels, sailing seems to best capture the essence of Don’s life. Despite the chance of encountering stormy weather or varied obstacles, there were also open horizons with endless possibilities. Don’s eyes were always on the horizon.

Donald is predeceased by his wife Bonita, parents, sister Barbara Johnson, and brother Norman. He is survived by his daughters Rebecca Joanne (Mark Jaquette), Susan West, and Carolyn West; grandchildren Mikaela, Isabel (Lion Lee), and Daniel Jaquette, Wynant and Aleka Slayton; brother Gordon, sister Nancy Oblock, loving in-laws, nieces, nephews, and extended family.

A memorial service for Don will be held June 22, 2023, at 10am at the Second Presbyterian Church of Chicago, 1936 South Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60616. His remains will be interred at Chapel Hills West in Oak Brook Terrace following a brief reception at the church. For those interested, in lieu of flowers, please consider giving a gift in Donald’s memory to one of the following:

1. The John and Ruth Leedy Centennial Class of 1960 Endowed Scholarship Fund at Wheaton College. 

2. The Friends of Second Presbyterian Church. 

3. The General Society of Mayflower Descendants. 

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/donald-west/obituary/

Copy