West Jr. Rev. James
West, Rev. James “Jim”, Jr., 85, passed away April 4, 2009 in Newton, KS. Visitation with the family is 6:00 to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Downing Lahey Mortuary East and memorial service is 1:00 P.M. Wednesday, April 8, 2009 at Hillside Christian Church. Jim was born October 25, 1923 in Higgins Corners, PA to James and Hazel West. He grew up in Boyers, PA along with his four brothers, Ray, Richard, Bernard, and William. He enlisted in the Army at the outbreak of World War II. Because he was fluent in German, he was assigned to a special military police unit and was stationed at a secret Prisoner of War Camp for captured German soldiers in Concordia, KS. While stationed in Concordia, he met the love of his life, Roberta Cain who was attending nurses training in Newton, KS. They were married December 31, 1943 and were blessed with nearly 63 years of marriage and one daughter, Rita. Following the war, Jim and Roberta owned several businesses including a service station in Florence, KS and B J Furniture in Salina, KS. Jim was active in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and was a charter member of Belmont Boulevard Christian Church in Salina. As a lay minister, he served many small Kansas congregations including Lincoln and Galva. In 1971, his life direction changed and he began his full time service in the Christian ministry. He served as associate pastor at Central Christian Church, Lexington, KY and Hillside Christian Church, Wichita, KS. In 1981, he was called to be the Director of Development for the Kansas Christian Home, Newton, KS, retiring in 1992. Jim was a kind and caring man who spent his lifetime helping others. His church and his faith were important to him. He saw the good in people and would not easily give up on anyone, especially young people. He was actively involved with youth programs in his church, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Big Brothers. After retiring, he was a dedicated caregiver to his wife and an advocate for older adults. He was a member of Hillside Christian Church, Wichita, KS. His hobbies included traveling, gardening, making jelly, spending time at his vacation home in Branson and showing his antique automobiles. Jim is survived by his daughter, Rita Paustian and husband Hugh, Auburn, WA; grandson, Cory Paustian, Overland Park, KS; brothers, Bernard of Florida and William of PA. Memorials are suggested to Belmont Boulevard Christian Church, 2508 Belmont Blvd, Salina, KS 67401, Hillside Christian Church, 8330 E. Douglas Ave, Wichita, KS 67206, and Kansas Christian Home, 1035 SE 3rd, Newton, KS 67114.
Visitation with the family 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday, April 7, 2009 at Downing Lahey Mortuary East.
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How seemingly fitting that Rev. Jim West, servant of Christ and of the Christian Church (DOC), General and in KS, should pass on the day of yet another KS Disciples Women spring gathering. Jim traveled faithfully with so many KDW Cabinet spring workshop teams to so many church gatherings, especially during his years as Development Director for the Kansas Christian Home in Newton. Jim knew, loved and supported so many women of the Christian Church in KS, and he traveled to our gatherings to share his message of support for the saints, visit with new and old friends, tell amusing stories, eat salads (so many salads!) and be a friend to servants of the church everywhere. Rev. Jim West was indeed a faithful servant of the Christ he loved and a friend to many he met along the journey. Blessings, prayers and appreciation to his family and friends…
Uncle Jim was truly an inspiration to me as I was growing up. I fell in love with music, and began taking piano lessons, he encouraged me every step of the way! The first time I played in church he made such a fuss over it and made me feel so special, encouraging me every chance he had to ‘use the gifts God gave me.’ He will be sorely missed, and I will always think about him every time I play.
Uncle Jim was truely a special person. I used to drop in at his Skelly gas station in Florence after school when I was walking home in the 1st and 2nd grades. My dad (George) was an only child, and when Aunt Bert married Uncle Jim, found that he now had a real brother. They were very different, but stead fast friends for life, from the first time they met. Jim and Bert (Rita and Buttons)came for Sunday dinner often, driving from Emporia and later Salina, after church, to our farm north of Florence. Jim really enjoyed being at the farm around growing crops and animals and spending time with Dad. Also, Mom (Eula) was (still is) a great cook, but so was Aunt Bert. He was a great photographer and took many superb pictures and slides, that we all still cherish today. Jim was always there when ever any of us needed his counsel, companionship or services. He preformed most all of our family weddings, installations (demolay and rainbow) and funerals with great love, compassion and humorous personal antidotes (in the case of brother Dick, that would be anticdotes). Jim’s favorite was his story that he could not get and go to the bathroom at night because Roberta would make the bed while he was gone (Roberta was a very meticulous housekeeper). Jim West I was truely blessed to have known you and had you be my Uncle. As Dad said many times ‘Roberta picked good’!
I only know Mr. West’s daughter, Rita, but I have heard her stories over the years and know he must have been a great man to raise such a wonderful daughter.