Jeff West

Jeffrey Dean "Jeff" West, 42, "Superman of the Ocoee", died kayaking the Stikine River in British Columbia on Monday, Sept. 10, 2012.Jeff was born in Decatur, attended both Milton and Lumpkin County High Schools and Embry Riddle Aeronautical before earning his degree in Business Entrepreneurship from Georgia Southern University.Jeff took his education and huge appetite for adventure and opened Ace Funyaks & Kayaking School in Ocoee, Tenn., 15 years ago where he taught over 5,000 students.Jeff was a member of the Jackson Kayak team, reached the finals in the U.S. Team Trials twice, placed in the top ten of the Green Narrows Race four times and won the TVF Creeking Competition four times. He designed the Perception Lucid kayak, wrote extensively about kayaking, was featured in several adventure publications and wrote the "Ocoee Guidebook and Training Manual". Jeff holds several records for river, creek and waterfall descents.His work expanded his interest into adamant support of conservation and ecology causes. He was a devoted son and brother, uncle and cousin and an amazing caregiver to his elderly mother, Barbara.Jeff West became, in life, legendary in the paddling realm. In death, his legend continues to grow such that the outpouring of sentiments and support has overwhelmed his family. The family would like to gratefully acknowledge the tender mercies shown to them throughout this tragic loss and would like his friends, fellow paddlers and family members to attend a memorial service to be held noon Oct. 13, at the Ocoee Whitewater Center pavilion in Ocoee, Tenn. River/casual attire.A Memorial River Run will take place at 3 p.m. starting at Dam #2. Celebrations will continue at Cascade Outdoors across from Whitewater Grill. Jeff is survived by his mother, Barbara West; stepmother, Edna West; sister Pamela West Mayer (Doug); brother, Mark West; sister Cindy West-Owen (Art); nephews, Spencer Smith (Nichole), Brian Mayer, William West, Christian Kobres; nieces, Jennifer Kobres (Erick), Kristine West, Jasmine Kobres, Mackenzie and Summer Smith and numerous cousins.Jeff was recently predeceased by his father, David Jerome "Jerry" West; and brothers Doug and David West.