Affectionately known as “Big Dan” by his friends, Dan West attended Memphis Central High School where he was an outstanding student and athlete, starring in football, basketball and track. He enrolled at Southwestern in 1938, but a shoulder injury kept him from playing football for the Lynx. He put his 6’5” frame to work in basketball and in track and was a school record holder in the shot and discus.
In 1941, World War II called. Dan served in the Army in the European Theater, earning the rank of Major in the Quartermaster Corps. Returning to campus he was in charge of the college dining room and bookstore from 1947 to 1952. In 1952 he opened Dan West Garden Center which quickly became one of Memphis’ most popular and successful businesses.
Dan worked for forty-seven years for the Child Abuse Prevention Center and helped found the Memphis Oral School for the Deaf. He was a charter member of the Germantown Charity Horse Show and was recognized as the Memphis Exchange Club Member of the Year in 1971 and in 1979. He never stopped being and active alumnus and served as President of the International Alumni Association in 1988-89.
Dan West was one of Rhodes all-time great ambassadors. Put him in a room with a group of alumni, community leaders or prospective students and he could extol the virtues of his alma mater for hours. Dan West was Mr. Rhodes!
For his support of Rhodes athletics, positive attitude and willingness to give of his time and treasure to the college he so loved, we are honored to induct DANIEL E. WEST into the Rhodes Athletic Hall of Fame this 26th day of October, 2001.
