EAST BANK, WV (WOWK) – The Mountain State continues to remember the life of one of West Virginia’s all-time icons. Jerry West, who many know as “Zeke from the Creek,” “The Logo” or “Mr. Clutch,” passed away Wednesday at the age of 86.
On Thursday, 13 News returned to the streets of East Bank, West Virginia – his home court – to speak with residents on the impact West had on their community and the Mountain State as a whole.
Decades of friendship: Willie Akers remembers Jerry West
West first earned his stripes playing for the East Bank High School team in the early 1950s, before taking his talents to Morgantown. At WVU, he led the Mountaineers to their sole NCAA Championship game appearance in 1959.
East Bank Mayor Chuck Blair has met West many times and remembers the basketball legend for his humility.
“He was just a class guy. Everybody he talked to was very happy and pleased with the way Jerry West treated people. He just had the way of being humble but an icon as well. He acted just as common as an old shoe, I would say. You knew how well he had done, but you wouldn’t know it by talking to him,” said Blair.
Tributes pour in remembering Jerry West
Mickey Ramsey, a former basketball coach at East Bank Middle School, says he’s heard plenty of stories from West’s peers that showcase his love for the game of basketball.
“Something I remember is I talked to several people when he played at the Junior High in Chelyan, he always had a basketball in his hands. They said he’d be dribbling in the rooms and down the hallway. In fact, he got in trouble with some of the teachers there because he always had that basketball. Of course, it paid off,” said Ramsey.
Mayor Blair said that the city will be discussing a way to commemorate the life of Jerry West at a town hall meeting on Monday. 13 News will keep you updated once those plans have been made.