James C. West

Jim was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Maurice and MaryAnn West. He grew up on the South Side of Chicago and graduated from St. George High School. After a year of college, he was drafted and served in the USAEUR with B Btry, 6th Bn, 60th Arty. While in the army, he married Joan, the love of his life and a recent nursing graduate. Upon discharge, he began a career as an electrician with Illinois Bell and moved with his wife to Oak Forest, Illinois, to raise a family. Upon retirement from the phone company, he indulged his dream of becoming a long-haul trucker, but gave it up after two years because it kept him away from Joanie for too long. They then moved to Homosassa, Florida, where he eventually, fully retired.

His family will remember him as an adventurous man of many passions. Aside from his wife, his two greatest passions were books and travel. He was an avid reader, and he loved road trips, traveling the country with his wife and family. Over the years he enjoyed many hobbies and pursuits, among them camping, fishing, boating, hunting with his dog (Lad), golf, bonsai, Civil War history, and country western dancing. In his later years, he remained adventurous and began kayaking, scuba diving and bee keeping. He even went skydiving when he saw his daughter do it! He always had something new to learn or enjoy.

He is survived by Joan, his loving wife of 56 years, his daughters Rebecca (Jeff) Tharp, and Elizabeth West, his three grandchildren Adam, Makayla, and Hailey Tharp, and his sister Barbara Wittstruck.

In place of a memorial service, Jim’s wish was for friends and family to come and spend time with his greatest passion, Joanie.