Jerry West

photo by Prphotos.com

Birth Name: Jerome Alan West

Date of Birth: May 28, 1938

Place of Birth: Chelyan, West Virginia, U.S.

Date of Death: June 12, 2024

Place of Death: Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, some German and Scottish, distant Irish, Welsh, and Dutch

Jerry West was an American professional basketball player, coach, executive, and scout. A point guard, he played his entire fourteen-year career for the Los Angeles Lakers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He was also head coach of the Lakers, and general manager of the Lakers and the Memphies Grizzlies. He co-captained the 1960 U.S. Olympic gold medal team. He was chosen as the All-Star MVP in 1972, held the NBA record for the highest points per game average in a playoff series, and was a Hall of Famer. His silhouette was the basis for the NBA’s logo. He was nicknamed “the Logo,” “Mr. Clutch,” “Mr. Outside,” and “Zeke from Cabin Creek.” He was 6′3″.

Jerry was the son of Cecil Sue and Howard Stewart West, a coal mine electrician. His brother David was killed in action in the Korean War. He was married to Kristine “Karen” Bua, until his death. He had three children with his former wife Martha Jane Kane; and two children with Kristine. Their son, Jonnie West, played college basketball, and has worked for the Golden State Warriors. Jonnie is married to professional golfer Michelle Wie West.

Jerry’s paternal grandfather was Maxwell Lee West (the son of Thomas West, Jr. and Mary Ann Frame). Maxwell was born in West Virginia. Thomas was the son of Thomas West and Mary Elizabeth Flesher. Mary Ann was the daughter of Andrew M. Frame and Sarah “Sally” Bailes.

Jerry’s paternal grandmother was Salina Susan Kile (the daughter of James W. Kile and Amanda Hughes). Salina was born in West Virginia. James was the son of John Kile and Mary E. Watkins. Amanda was the daughter of Josiah John Hughes and Elizabeth Swiger.

Jerry’s maternal grandfather was Joseph Creasey (the son of Henry Lewis Creasey and Martha Slack). Joseph was born in West Virginia. Henry was the son of David H. Creasey and Susannah Newman. Martha was the daughter of John Torbert Slack and Nancy Huddleston.

Jerry’s maternal grandmother was Mary Catherine Trail (the daughter of Thomas Trail and Henrietta Francis Stone). Mary Catherine was born in West Virginia.

Source: Genealogy of Jerry West – https://www.geni.com