James West

James Harold West was born on Dec. 29th, 1932 near Winnsboro, Hopkins County, Texas and passed away on Nov. 7th, 2023 in Ennis Texas. He was the first born of Helois Kennedy West and Richard West. James grew up in a farming family and his love for gardening and planting never wavered throughout his life. He was very competitive at sports and was a fast pitch softball pitcher until age 40, loved roller skating, where he met his future wife, and was an avid golfer. At age 17 he enlisted in the USAF where he was trained as a radio operator on B 29 bombers. After military service he attended East Texas University at Commerce Texas, now Texas A&M Commerce, earning degrees in Math and Physics. Intending to be a teacher, an opportunity arose in the electronics field which was more lucrative for his young family. He became a design engineer beginning at HST in Garland, Texas and then on to Varo where he designed electronic components for the Sidewinder Missile Launch system for the F4 Phantom, Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Space Programs, nuclear submarines, and night vision equipment among many other projects both military, government and private sector too numerous to mention. He continued his design work for Tracor in Austin, Texas and then back to Varo. He and engineer friends formed their own sales company as a manufacturer's representative for electronic components where he continued his custom designing as well as sales. He was the last of that group and retired at age 80. He was a member of the Rosser United Methodist Church in Rosser, Texas. James married Betty Barrett on June 10, 1956 and they had a blessed 67 years 4 months and 28 days together. He is survived by his wife and sons Mike (Natasha), Tracy (Tammy) & Chuck (Gayla). Grandsons; Kenneth (Sherrie), Brandon (Fabiola), Cody (Ann), Blake (Gabbie), Garrett (Janelle), Drew (April) Clay, Nathan & Garrison. Granddaughters; Emmy (Cody), Kihana (Nick) & Audrey. Great grandchildren, Lauren (Brandon), Logan, Jonathan, Charles, Emmalee, Scarlett, Skyler, Levi & Elliot. Great Great Grandaughters, Eliana and Cassidy. Brothers; Jerry & Robert West, Sister Norma Clements and their families. Bonus family, Bryan Phillips, Kandyce Smith and son Draco, Bayleigh Lawrence and daughter Wynree. He is preceded in death by his parents, brother Otha D. West & his sister Shirley Record, grandson Jeremy West & granddaughter Luvena Hunt. James was truly a good, kind, generous and loving man and a friend to many. He deeply loved his family and was so proud of each and everyone of them. He was a teacher, mentor, advisor and always a champion of education passing along his life's experiences and knowledge. He is missed by all of his loved ones but we know that he is whole once more. He spent the last days and weeks of his life reminding all of us how much he loved us. His memory and lessons offered will always be a part of us to cherish and remember, Good job, James, your family will always love, appreciate and honor you. A Celebration of his life will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, January 6, 2024 at Max Slayton Funeral Home in Terrell Texas. James' family will begin receiving friends one hour prior to service time. Donations to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Tennessee in his name would be most appreciated. https://www.stjude.org/donate/prospects-tssl.html?frequency_selected=0&sc_icid=impactgiving-donate-bttn-top

Tributes

James West

November 7, 2023