Neil Stewart West

A Mass of Christian burial will be held for Neil West, 79, of Tyler on Friday, May 9, 2025 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception at 1:30pm. Burial will immediately follow at Rose Lawn Cemetery. Visitation and Rosary will be held on Thursday, May 8, 2025 at Stewart Family Funeral Home from 6-8pm. Neil Stewart West of Tyler, Texas passed away peacefully on May 1, 2025 at the age of 79 after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. Born in Denver, Colorado on August 6, 1945 to James Clyde West and Edith Shearer West, he was the younger of two brothers. Neil grew up in Magnolia, Arkansas and graduated high school in 1963. Neil had a lifelong love of sports and lettered in high school football, basketball and track. During those years, Neil created friendships that would last a lifetime. Neil went on to attend the University of Arkansas where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and was a member of the Air Force ROTC. He then left Arkansas and moved to Omaha, Nebraska where he earned his MBA from the University of Nebraska. During this time, Neil served as an Officer in the Air Force for 4 years at Offutt Air Force Base. Neil developed a love for flying and obtained his pilot’s license and purchased his first airplane, a single engine Cessna. He would later earn his Instrument Flight Rating and was a private pilot for over 40 years. Neil resigned his Air Force Commission honorably and began working as a commercial lending officer and then Vice President for Omaha National Bank in 1972, which began his 34 year career in banking. In 1984, Neil became a receiver of a failed financial institution known as Commonwealth Bank of Lincoln, Nebraska. This was a precursor to the entire failure of the Savings and Loan Industry and Neil was interviewed by 60 Minutes for his knowledge and keen perspective. In 1987, Neil was made President and CEO of Security National Bank in Norman, Oklahoma, where he remained for 6 years before accepting his final role as CEO and Regions Texas Group President and moved to Tyler, Texas in 1993. After working for First Commercial Cooperation for 13 years, Neil resigned from banking in 2006, at which time he was Group President of 81 Texas locations. Throughout his career, Neil served in various capacities for civic charities, including Big Brothers, Rotary Club, YMCA, Regional Hospital Foundation, University of Oklahoma Library Foundation and was also an adjunct professor at the University of Oklahoma in Commercial Bank Financial Management and was on the School of Business Advisory Board at the University of Texas at Tyler. Neil worked hard throughout his career but also loved to play. He played on softball and basketball teams and was an avid tennis player and golfer. He loved the Dallas Stars and enjoyed sharing his love of sports with family and friends. Neil enjoyed travelling, boating, fishing and had a zest for life and deep love for his family. His generosity was boundless and extended to everyone. He will be deeply missed. Neil was preceded in death by his parents, Jim and Edith and is survived by his brother Don West and sister in law Patricia West. Neil is survived by his wife of 45 years Joan Pritchard West and children Stacey West Brandt and husband Randy Brandt, Rebecca West, Stacey Henry West and Paul West and grandchildren Nicholas Brandt, Mitchell Brandt, Jacob Brandt, Vivian Giorgetti, Hayden West, Ethan West and Benjamin Lohmann. Pallbearers are Paul West, Ethan West, Randy Brandt, Nicholas Brandt, Mitchell Brandt, Jacob Brandt, Bob Pritchard and Glenn McDaniel. Honorary Pallbearers are Don West, Mike Couch, Jim Clemens and Doug Smart.

Neil Stewart West

August 6, 1945 - May 1, 2025