Through his own company and previously through Magi Marketing, West, a CBA member for years, sold gifts into Christian retail stores. During his four years with Magi, he sold to smaller accounts in Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania, said Kent Barnard, national sales manager for the company.

"He loved the Lord and he cared deeply about his customers and their well-being," Barnard said. "He was probably one of the hardest-working sales reps for the Magi team, very dedicated."

On the online guest book at the Akron Beacon Journal Web site, retailers Kay and Derron Castille of Agape Inspirational Books, Gifts and Flowers in Darlington, Pa., wrote of West's "love of Christ that went along with everything he sold and represented."

He is survived by his wife, Jeanette; parents Jerry West and Sara (Sally) Keller; stepfather Don Keller; and sister Kristy (George) Santiago.