Fred West

Fred C West, of High Springs, Florida passed away suddenly in Titusville, Florida on Saturday, March 14, 2015. Fred was born in Schenectady, New York on July 16, 1950 to Fred and Catherine West. He was preceded in death by his Father, and a brother Mark West. Fred is survived by his forever wife and soulmate, Jackie M West, two lovely daughters, Sarah Sapp and Kristen Langford, his son in law Todd Langford and his grandsons, Jayden Langford and Jace McCullers, all of High Springs, his brother Mike West and his family, all of New York. And a multitude of family and friends that loved and admired him dearly. Fred was raised Catholic and received his First Communion in May 1958. Even though he did not attend church as an adult he always had our lord in his heart. Fred graduated from Kenmore West Senior High School in 1969. He was an avid hockey player #64, and formed a band that he played lead guitarist. He enlisted in the US Navy right out of high school and entered the day before his 19th birthday, July 15, 1969. He served on the USS Midway, did three tours in Vietnam, and he was a Navy Seal Diver. He came home in July 1973 to enter into law enforcement with the Geneseo Police Department in New York. He earned his Commercial Diver Certification in 1978, and began a long diving career. He and his father worked together at Freds Automotive Marine and Commercial Diving Services. He went back to law enforcement in South Florida until 1985. He then owned and operated Fred C West Investigations from 1985 until 1996, during which time he moved to North Florida and worked for Alachua Police Department from 1986 until 1989. This is when he first became friends with his wife Jackie, but it wasnt until 1995 that they began dating and then married October 19, 1996 in St Augustine, Florida at the Amore Chapel. Fred re-entered the diving industry in 1997. In 2005 his dream of owning his own commercial diving company became a reality, when he and Jackie began Underwater Services Associates. In the 10 years of business with Fred at the helm, and the many that worked at his side, he was proud of every achievement no matter how small. He demanded excellence from everyone and always gave his all, with a passion like no other. The many clients over the years grew to trust and respect his knowledge and many became very dear friends. Fred loved spending time with his family and they shared many adventures together. He was an avid boater and loved being in, on and around the water with his brown eyed girls. He had plans to teach his grandsons how to captain a boat. He had many plans, all of which included his family and some adventure, somewhere. He also loved playing guitar and being a pirate. Freds love for his wife was immeasurable, endless, timeless, and forever, she is his One and Only. He loved his daughters Sarah and Kristen with all of his heart and soul, and was extremely proud of them. He was their Daddy. He loved his son in law Todd, who made him very proud and he thought of him like a son. There are no words to describe the love he shared with his grandsons, Jayden and Jace. They were the love of his life and his Pride and Joy. Their love light will forever burn in Poppies heart. Freds family was everything to him, he loved and adored each and every one. Fred was blessed to have many once in a lifetime friendships, many of which he mentored as young divers, he held every friendship close to his heart. To many he was a Legend, to Fred he was a man who loved his family, cherished life and lived by a code, A Code of Honor. Fred will live on in the hearts of many, and his love will carry his wife, children and grandsons through the rest of their days until they are all together again. Until then, we will all miss you and cherish every moment we were blessed to have you, a great man, FredFred West, One of a Kind. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to remember Fred C West in a special way may make a donation to the Dan Marino Foundation, 400 N. Andrews Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301, Phone: 954-368-6017. Donations can be made- 1. Online at www.danmarinofoundation.org, select Donate Now (at the top of page), Check the box for, Special Comments, Honorary or Memorial Gift, select In memory of in the Honoree Name and/or Occasion: enter, Fred C West 2. By mail: The Dan Marino Foundation, Inc. 400 North Andrews Ave. Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33301 Check Memo: In Memory of Fred C West 3. By phone at 954-368-6017 A Celebration of Life for Fred with family and friends is being held at his home in High Springs, Florida at 2:00 pm on April 4, 2015. Please call if you need the address. Dress casual, as he would want comfort for us all. His personal favorite, jeans a t-shirt and his crocks. Arrangements are under the direction of Knauff Funeral Home, 715 W. Park Ave, Chiefland, FL 32626 (352)493-4777.