James Westerfield

James Randolph Westerfield Sr. passed away peacefully Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, after a brief illness. A longtime resident of New Orleans, Randy moved to Baton Rouge in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina. For us, it was a blessing, as he was able to spend his last years closer to his family. As a child and young adult, Randy persevered through multiple surgeries for brain cancer and survived decades longer than originally expected. He graduated from John Curtis High School and attended Loyola University before his health derailed plans for law school. He was very proud of his family, his son and his beautiful grandchildren. He was most proud of his son's choice to pursue a career in medicine. Randy had an engaging and unique personality, and touched many people throughout his life. He enjoyed making new friends, and loved to tell jokes and make people laugh. Few people who met him ever forgot the experience. Randy is survived by his sister, Carolyn W. Trascher; son, Dr. James R. Westerfield Jr.; daughter-in-law, Jackie Westerfield; grandchildren, Matthew and Amelia Westerfield; niece, Susan Biggs; and nephews, Ted and Tim Trascher. Preceded in death by his dear mother, Shirley Westbrook, and father, Bentley Westerfield. A wake service at Rabenhorst Funeral Home was held Friday, Oct. 23, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. Joseph Cathedral on Saturday, Oct. 24, at 10 a.m. There will also be a visitation period from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. prior to the Mass. Graveside service will be held at St. Louis Cemetery No. 3 in New Orleans on Monday, Oct. 26, at 11 a.m. Many thanks to the staff at the Catholic Presbyterian Apartments, Hospital Medicine Service at Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Old Jefferson Community Care Center. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Children's Miracle Network through the Our Lady of the Lake Foundation. Goodbye, Randy. We love you and will deeply miss your sense of humor and warm heart.