Dr. James P. West, Jr., 86 of McDonough, Georgia went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, August 2, 2022, surrounded by his loving wife of 65 years and his three precious daughters. James was the oldest of five siblings, born in Jefferson, Georgia on July 27, 1936, to James P. West, Sr. and Elizabeth Collins West. James was a happy child growing up with his family in Conyers, Georgia. He had a deep love and respect for his parents and loved his brothers and sisters dearly. James was saved at camp meeting in Atlanta at the age of eight. He had a love for attending church and made his church home an important part of his life attending Sunday School and worship service each Sunday and Prayer service on Wednesday evening. James loved sports and was playing baseball with Milstead Callaway Mills team. When he was asked if he could practice on Wednesday evening his reply was “NO, I attend prayer service on this night”. This did not keep the team from accepting him on their team. Upon graduation form Milstead Grammar School in the 7th grade, he entered Rockdale County High in the 8th grade. When he entered his homeroom, he spotted a girl seated toward the front in a yellow blouse. There was an empty seat behind her and he said, I want to meet this girl so he took that seat. Very soon love bloomed between them. Her name was Kathryn Smith. After this James & Kathryn became one word. James & Kathryn attended 8th grade through 12th grade. James was an outstanding football player in 8th – 12th grade, playing fullback position. He was very fast on the field scoring many touchdowns and “giving his best” to his team and coach. He was scouted by major colleges, being flown to their Homecoming games, UGA, Florida State, University of Florida, Clemson, Alabama and many more in hope that he would choose to go to their school on a full football scholarship. His plans were to marry Kathryn, and they moved to where he chose to go to school and Kathryn would put her secretarial skills to work while he played football. But then when he had chosen a school, he was told by this school that he would not be accepted there if he chose to get married. Kathryn’s Dad offered to send her to UGA to major in education to become a school teacher and let James attend college on a full football scholarship. This offer was discussed by James & Kathryn and James led the way and said to Kathryn “I want you for the rest of my life”. After graduation in June from Rockdale County High, James & Kathryn were married at Rockdale Baptist Church in Conyers on July 27th, 1957. At this time James had accepted a full football scholarship at Middle Georgia College, a junior college in Cochran, GA. They lived with Kathryn’s parents until time for school to start and Kathryn’s Daddy & Mother loaded the furniture they had in his truck and drove them to Cochran, where they rented an apartment. Football practice began and after two weeks of practice, James had a severe injury to his knee and since he could no longer play with the injury, his scholarship privilege was taken from him. James & Kathryn moved back to Conyers and rented an apartment. At this time it was hard to understand, but James quoted his life scripture to Kathryn, Romans 8:28 “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who have been called according to His purpose”. James found a job and went back to his home church. On October 23, 1958, God gave to us our first baby girl, Vicki Elayne. In the crib, at about 6 months old, James would hold his Bible over Vicki and say “say Bible, Vicki, say Bible" and she would say “Momma, Momma”. After Vicki was born, James accepted the call of God to be His servant and preach the Word. James entered Immanuel Bible College and Seminary, attended school and worked two jobs to support his family. In 1962, God gave us our second precious baby, girl, Terri Lynn, and again, James began at an early age to teach to Terri, God’s Word. In 1963, James accepted his first church as Pastor at Macedonia Baptist in Oxford, GA. and after three years there he accepted Pastorate at Walnut Grove Baptist Church, Walnut Grove, GA. On February 12, 1969, God gave to us our third precious baby girl, Angela Dawn, again, James began to teach Angela God’s Word. After completing Pastorate at Walnut Grove, James then became the assistant pastor at The Baptist Tabernacle in Covington, GA. with Pastor Hudson Moody. During these times of ministry, he was also employed with Life of Virginia Insurance Company, where he excelled with the company qualifying for all expense paid trips to California, Spain, Florida, etc. He grew with the company and was promoted to manager with ten men under him. He gave his best there. In 1971, God called James to pastor McDonough Baptist Tabernacle where he pastored for 50 years until his retirement in December of 2020. During those 50 years, many accomplishments were made as he accepted a work with a "Bible in one hand and hammer in the other", as he led in the spiritual and numerical growth of the church. During this time, he led in the construction of the first church building program. James, having a burden for Christian Education, founded Tabernacle Christian School/Lake Dow Christian Academy. Ten acres were purchased across the road from the original church where a two-story gym was constructed where the church met while the new church building was built. During this time a church ballfield was designed. With the gym housing the school, James had the burden to construct a grammar school building on the premises. Many souls were saved through the Church, school, bus ministry and on foreign fields through our mission program. James was blessed to be able to go to the Holy Land. He traveled to many foreign mission fields. In Nicaragua, there is a feeding kitchen named and dedicated in honor of James and Kathryn West. In Mexico, there is a church named McDonough Baptist Tabernacle. James love of life consisted of always putting God first and giving his best. He loved his wife, three daughters, sixteen grandchildren, seventeen great grandchildren with all his heart. His favorite time with family was serving God together and carrying his family on trips together so he could share this time with them. He had a heart of gold. He loved to see his girls and grandchildren have fun together. He was always concerned for “Others”. He was a simple, genuine, Godly husband, Daddy, Papa, and Great Papa. James was preceded in death by his parents, his sister, Charlene and a brother Joe, whom he dearly loved. He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Kathryn Smith West, his daughters, Vicki (Jeff) Kuhn, Terri (Richie) Hiott, Angela (Ron) King, 16 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, sister Ruth Floyd of Douglasville, GA. Brother Michael West (Sue) of Hiawassee, GA, sister- in- law, Martha West of Locust Grove, GA , nieces, nephews and cousins. During James' pastorates he only had two pastors, Dr. R. Hudson Moody and Pastor Terrell Hopkins. The family would like to extend a heartfelt "Thank You" to the staff of Encompass Health and Sacred Journey Hospice for their loving care of James, during the final days of his journey here.
