Lon Foster "Sonny" West

Lon Foster "Sonny" West – Born March 12, 1938, Died March 5, 2011, after a brief battle with cancer. Sonny was a lifelong Nashville resident, having never lived outside of Davidson County. He was a student of Nashville schools, including Duncan Preparatory School, Montgomery Bell Academy, Vanderbilt University (Bachelor of Arts) and Vanderbilt School of Law (Juris Doctorate). A founding member of Bellevue Presbyterian Church, he also attended Judson Baptist Church in Nashville for many years.Sonny was a Metro Government employee for 55 years; he began his career with Metro in the finance department and then moved to the Metro department of law for more than 20 years, representing the building and codes department, the planning commission, the historical commission and storm water management commission. He was a chief author of original zoning code for consolidated Metro Government. In 1985 he became the Metropolitan Zoning Administrator for Nashville. He has also lectured and conducted seminars for the Tennessee Municipal Leagues, the Tennessee County Services Association, the Middle Tennessee Code Officials Association, National Business Institute; He also co-authored the publication "Land Use Law in Tennessee." He was also a drafter of a new comprehensive zoning ordinance for Nashville. Recently the auditorium at the newly renovated Howard Office Building was named the " Sonny West Conference Center" by the Metro Council. Sonny was a friend to everyone – he lived a life of integrity and was always a voice of reason. He treated everyone that came through his door equally – no matter their social standing. Mr. West was preceded in death by his father Jack Edward West, mother Lucille Foster West and aunt Ola Belle West. Survived by wife Barbara Patton West; children David West (Margie); Jack West (Dawn); Rick West (Heather); Amanda Dagnan (Dennis); Kimberly Patton; and Elizabeth Kiskaddon (Walter); and fourteen grandchildren: Dillon West, Kevin and Hayden Greer, John Lee Brewer, Brandon and Ty McCrea; Amelia West; Ashley and Nicole West; Jonathan, Jacob and Emma Dagnan; Andrew and William Kiskaddon. 2010 Recipient of "Legacy Award" from National Association of Industrial and Office Professionals. Visitation at Judson Baptist Church, 4900 Franklin Rd. Nashville, TN, Thursday from 4-8pm and Friday from 9am until the time of service at 11am.

Lon Foster "Sonny" West

March 12, 1938 - March 5, 2011