This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Larry West, Tinker, Piddler,


Arborist, Humorist? by Tory Tedder


Q: Why can't you tell secrets in a cornfield? A: Too many ears. With a chuckle, that is how my day in the field with


Larry West began. I hoped his choice of joke material wasn't a subtle way of hinting he intended to be closed mouthed during our interview. Turns out West is a great conversationalist. I learned a


lot about vegetation management (which I will share with readers in a future article). West has been with OEC 33 years as of September 2.


He started as a groundsman, then moved to the warehouse for about 10 years before returning to vegetation management where he serves as a foreman. In 2003, he earned his credentials as a certified arborist—a grueling, five-year process—but West is a good student. A graduate of Yukon High School, class of 1977, West


liked school and was on the chess team. Pursuing a love of electronics, he went back to school in the mid-1980s and received an associate's degree in applied sciences. "I'm a piddler. I like to tinker with stuff," he admits.


"I take apart radios, TVs, air conditioners—anything electronic—fix them, and put them back together— hopefully." His dad and grandfather also worked for an electric


utility—Oklahoma Gas & Electric (OG&E). His grandfather was tragically killed when he came in contact with a primary line on the job. His dad was only 13 years old at the time and OG&E promised him a job when he came of age. He took them up on their offer, retiring after 34 years at the age of 57. West and his wife, Deborah, have three adult children:


Larry West, from top to bottom: December 2012 employee portrait; Whether his boots are planted on the ground or his head is in the clouds, West clearly sees the forest for the trees.


10 September 2013


a 31-year-old daughter, Forrest, and two boys, Andy, 33, and Matthew, 29. Tere are no grandchildren yet, but when they do arrive, someone needs to warn them not to pull any fingers around this guy.


Co-op People


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108  |  Page 109  |  Page 110  |  Page 111  |  Page 112  |  Page 113  |  Page 114  |  Page 115  |  Page 116  |  Page 117  |  Page 118  |  Page 119  |  Page 120  |  Page 121  |  Page 122  |  Page 123  |  Page 124  |  Page 125  |  Page 126  |  Page 127  |  Page 128  |  Page 129  |  Page 130  |  Page 131  |  Page 132  |  Page 133  |  Page 134  |  Page 135  |  Page 136  |  Page 137  |  Page 138  |  Page 139  |  Page 140  |  Page 141  |  Page 142  |  Page 143  |  Page 144  |  Page 145  |  Page 146  |  Page 147  |  Page 148  |  Page 149  |  Page 150  |  Page 151  |  Page 152  |  Page 153  |  Page 154  |  Page 155  |  Page 156  |  Page 157  |  Page 158  |  Page 159  |  Page 160