Warren Grant West passed away July 7, 2025, on the family ranch north of New Underwood SD. He was born to Melvin and Margaret West on September 22, 1946, in Rapid City, South Dakota. He graduated from New Underwood High School in 1965. After high school he made the decision to further his education by attending South Dakota State University.
Warren thoroughly enjoyed his time there as a Jackrabbit, as the family has been told many tales from his time in Brookings. He then joined the South Dakota National Guard in 1966. His initial MOS was an automobile mechanic, but he said he didn’t feel too mechanically inclined, so he reclassified to a cook which he really enjoyed until his honorable discharge in 1972.
His childhood was interrupted in elementary school when he became ill with hard measles. As a result his vision was impaired and as he aged it steadily became worse until he had very limited vision, but he never let it define him. As a young man while building his future, he also built a family. He was blessed with two loving children, Mel and Kristi, from his marriage to Yvette. Then on October 10, 1979, Warren married the love of his life, Mayola. With this union he gained three more wonderful children, Wendy, DeeDee, and Brian.
Ranching, working cattle, and riding horses is where his heart was, and he spent his lifetime doing them all. The ranch wasn’t work or a job, it’s who he was. His work ethic was outstanding and the next generation saw and absorbed that. Warren and Mayola worked the ranch side by side for 41 happy years.
Warren was very active in the local horse industry which fostered many lifelong friendships. He was a board member on the Central States Fair Board, charter member of the South Dakota Reined Cow Horse Association, and was the West River Director for the South Dakota Paint Horse Association for many years. Warren was enrolled with AQHA’s Ride America Program and logged over 5000 hours horseback in just the past 25 years. In 2021, the Black Hills Stock Show honored Warren and Mayola as Horseperson’s of the Year, it was something they both treasured dearly. He loved his time horseback, mainly because of the great people that it allowed him to meet, and friendships forged.
Warren was always up for a good conversation and a cold drink. He loved reminiscing about the “Good Ole Days” and had an uncanny memory for local history – he could tell you who was related to who and how. Also, if you wanted to know someone’s CB handle from 1975, he was your guy. He was at “Marcus Deer Camp” for over 20 years and adored his time there with the Hohn family. Many stories were told, but few were true…
In the last few years, he was thankful to share his life with Ardis. They had a great time sightseeing, sitting around a campfire, and enjoying each other’s company.
Warren is survived by his fiancée, Ardis Short of Canton, SD; five children, Wendy Philipsen (Randy) of New Underwood, DeeDee Scovel (Tony) of Falcon, CO, Mel West (Stacy) of Tacoma, WA, Kristi Krcil (Craig) of Mitchell, SD, and Brian Philipsen (Jennifer) of New Underwood, SD; 13 grandchildren, Richard (Tarra) Stecher, Sean Stecher, Buck (Meagyn) Scovel, Ty Scovel, Berry (Lacy) Scovel, Austin Scovel, Blake (Jessica) West, Madison West, Hailey (Tony) Bergstrom, Maci Bradley (Grant), Emma Bradley (Trevor), Jace (Mikayla) Philipsen, and Brianna (Sam) Orwick; and 14 great-grandchildren.
Warren is preceded in death by his wife of 41 years, Mayola, and his parents, Melvin and Margaret West.
In lieu of flowers Warren’s family requests that donations be made to the New Underwood Rodeo Team in his name. Thank you.
