Gerald “Howdy” West, 54 years of Temperance, MI, died Thursday, December 1, 2005 in Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Toledo. Born October 27, 1951 in Toledo, OH, he was the son of Raymond and Lois (Ridenour) West. A 1969 graduate of Macomber High School, he was employed by Daimler Chrysler Corp 24 years, retiring in 2000. Howdy was a former professional motorcycle racer and was a member of the U.A.W., Local 12.

Surviving is his father, Raymond of Toledo. Brothers, Michael (Pam) West of Spokane, WA and Patrick (Diana) West of Camden, TN. Sisters, Shelly Bajjeh of Toledo, OH and Barbara (John) Mattoni of Port Angeles, WA.

Visitation will be held Sunday from 3-9 pm in the Michael W. Pawlak Funeral Home, 1640 Smith Rd. (at Jackman) Temperance, MI, where funeral services will be held Monday at 10:00 am. Interment will follow in Erie Union Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Northwest Ohio.