John Franklin West III

Retired Lt. Col. John F. West III, 81, of Ashburn, Virginia, passed away peacefully in his home on November 20, 2024, with his wife of 56 years by his side. He was born on December 21, 1942, to John and Louise West in Allentown, Pennsylvania.

John was a prideful and stoic man, who loved his family fiercely. He devoted 21 years to the United States Air Force, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel; then began his second career with TRW and Northrop Grumman. Besides his family, his greatest loves were the family animals, photography, annual family beach trips, and listening to Frank Sinatra and Jimmy Buffett. He always ended his day enjoying his 5 o’clock cocktail hour with his wife, Kathie, and a good dry gin martini with two olives.

John joins his parents, John F. West Jr. and Louise W. West. He is survived by his wife, Kathrina (Kathie) K. West, his two daughters, Laura Rahn (Don Rahn) of Purcellville, Virginia and Patricia (Patty) Bernardo (Ev Bernardo) of Bristow, Virginia; and his two beloved granddaughters Carleigh Rahn of Fredericksburg, Virginia and Kaitlyn (Katie) Rahn of Purcellville, Virginia. John is also survived by his sister, Barbara Sabbeth (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) and his brother, James (Jim) West (Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania).