July 15, 1937 – February 11, 2025

A legend has passed.

It is with sadness that we share the passing of Gene West Sr. He left this world at home, surrounded by his family. His strong spirit will be missed by all who knew him.

Gene was born in Fort Morgan, Colorado, the oldest of four sons born to Vinita Owen and James West.

In 1943, Gene and his brothers moved to Grass Valley, California, with their father, Jim West. Gene attended Hennessy and Union Hill elementary schools and graduated from Nevada Union High School in 1956.

Gene married his high school sweetheart Linda Hellgren in 1959 who would remain his lifelong love and partner until her death in 2023. They had two children Rochelle West and Gene West Jr.

In the early 1950s, Gene began working as a ranch hand on the Robinson ranch for Guy and Olive. By 1954, he was hired by their son Lowell Robinson and became his second-hired employee, remaining for 20+ years, ultimately becoming one of Lowell Robinson’s most respected and trusted friends.

Gene founded his own logging company and sawmill, called Gene West Inc. Through the 1970s and 80s, he had established an international timber export market for white fir through the ports of Sacramento and Stockton. At the time, his company was one of the largest timber exporters in the state, shipping approximately 90 million board feet of timber annually to Japan, China, and Korea.

Gene proudly served in the National Guard for four years.

Gene was a serial entrepreneur, founding several other companies throughout his life, including Animal Carcass Removal.

Gene is survived by his brother Bud West, daughter Rochelle West, Son Gene West Jr., his Grandchildren, Jessica Fiscus, Shandy Vandiver, Jordan Spears, Odessa Spears, Sterling Meyer & Wilder West. As well as his 10 great-grandchildren, Marissa, Kylie, Madelyn, Cody, Tristan, Isabella, Divina, Remi, Maverick and Vaia.

A celebration of life will be held on May 10 from 3PM to 5PM at the Nevada County Fair Grounds Northern Mines Building (Gate 4)