Paul D. West, Jr.

Paul D. West, Jr., age 84, of Raleigh, passed away Sunday morning, May 4, 2025, at Sunrise of Raleigh. Paul was born September 21, 1940, in Charlotte, North Carolina. His parents relocated to Fayetteville where Paul grew up. He was preceded in death by his father, Paul D. West, Sr. and his mother, Elizabeth Turlington West.

After graduating from Campbell University, Paul began his career as an admissions counselor at Methodist College in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and later became the Director of Student Financial Aid there. He then transitioned to North Carolina State University where he was the Associate Director of Student Financial Aid for 20 years. During his time there, he transitioned to processing of financial aid applications from paper and pencil to an automated system. From NC State University, he joined Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business as the Director of Student Financial Aid. He was active in the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators; later in his career, he mentored new financial assistance officers across the country in university graduate school programs.

In 2002, Paul suffered a cardiac arrest several days following open heart surgery; oxygen deprivation for six minutes resulted in a catastrophic anoxic brain injury which forever changed the course of his life and that of his family. Paul lived with this injury for 22 years. His family will always remember his courage and bravery during those years.

Paul is survived by his wife of 53 years, Betsy Lambert West; his son, John A. West (Shelly) of Durham; and his daughter, Kelley West McFarland (Seth) of Raleigh. He also leaves behind other family members and friends.

Paul’s family thanks Alyssa and Monica at Sunrise of Raleigh who were kind, respectful, and loving to Paul.

A memorial service for family and friends will be held at Highland United Methodist Church on Ridge Road in Raleigh, on May 16th at 2:00pm.