SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 597

In Memory

of

Neil West

WHEREAS, A full and generous life drew to a close with the passing of Neil Stewart West of Tyler on May 1, 2025, at the age of 79; and

WHEREAS, The son of James Clyde West and Edith Shearer West, Neil West was born in Denver, Colorado, on August 6, 1945, and he grew up in Magnolia, Arkansas, with the companionship of his older brother, Don; he graduated from high school in 1963, and he went on to earn a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Arkansas, where he was a member of the Air Force ROTC, and a master's degree in business administration from the University of Nebraska; and

WHEREAS, Mr. West served as an officer in the U.S. Air Force at Offutt Air Force Base for four years; he eventually obtained his pilot's license and instrument rating and was a private pilot for more than four decades; after resigning his Air Force commission, he embarked on a 34-year career in banking in 1972, serving as a commercial lending officer and then vice president of Omaha National Bank, as a receiver for the Commonwealth Bank of Lincoln, Nebraska, and as the CEO and president of The Security National Bank and Trust Company of Norman in Oklahoma; he took on his final role as CEO and Regions Bank Texas Group president and moved to Tyler in 1993; at the time of his retirement in 2006, he was group president of 81 locations across Texas; and

WHEREAS, An active member of his community, Mr. West gave generously of his time and talents to numerous organizations through the years, including Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Rotary Club, and he also served as an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma and as a member of the Soules College of Business Advisory Board at UT Tyler; in his leisure time, he enjoyed traveling, boating, and fishing, as well as cheering on the Dallas Stars and playing softball, basketball, tennis, and golf; and

WHEREAS, In all his endeavors, Mr. West benefited from the love and support of his wife, Joan, with whom he shared a rewarding marriage that spanned 45 years; he took great pride in his four children, Stacey West Brandt, Rebecca West, Stacey Henry West, and Paul West, and he had the pleasure of welcoming into his family seven grandchildren, Nicholas, Mitchell, Jacob, Vivian, Hayden, Ethan, and Benjamin; and

WHEREAS, Admired for his devotion to his family, his generosity of spirit, and his joyous zest for life, Neil West enriched the lives of all who knew him, and they will forever hold him close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 89th Legislature, hereby pay tribute to the memory of Neil Stewart West and extend heartfelt condolences to all who mourn his passing; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this Resolution be prepared for his family and that when the Texas Senate adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Neil West.

Hughes

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President of the Senate

I hereby certify that the above Resolution was adopted by the Senate on May 31, 2025, by a rising vote.

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Secretary of the Senate

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Member, Texas Senate