John West

December 3, 1935 - March 31, 2022

On March 31, 2022, Heaven welcomed home our wonderful father, husband, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend. By now he is singing I’ve got a mansion just over the hilltop in his deep voice and taking it all in. Known in his youth as “Johnny” to his family and friends, he was raised without his father and prone to getting into a little mischief from time to time, but he would tell us stories of how important his male family role models were, how they came along side of him and his brother to ensure they stayed on the right track in life. He attributed many of his good habits to them, but also to his mother and grandmother, who were very strong women that he loved and respected deeply. His close-knit family molded him into the man he became – a strong leader who joyfully embraced life and was very loyal to both his family and God. He has told us many times about how blessed he feels for all the wonderful people who came into his life. In fact, he was amazed at how his life turned out, from his college days playing basketball at Murray all the way to his life here in Henderson. He took great joy in being able to serve the people of Henderson as the RECC manager until his retirement and being a part of this community. On top of being a family man, he was a schoolteacher and a basketball coach early on, a sportsman in his own right, a business leader, world traveler, and an avid outdoorsman. He was truly blessed with a life full of love, and although he saw his share of great sadness, he chose to focus on living his best life with us no matter what obstacles came his way. He now joins our family members who have gone before him, including his cherished first wife, Mary West, and his younger brother, Bob West. Our family was so happy to enjoy one last holiday season together and celebrated his 86th birthday this past December. Today we wish to say to him that we will cherish all the memories we’ve made together, and we look forward to seeing him in that bright land where we’ll never grow old. Thanks for being a role model to us - full of determination, strength, faith, charity, and love. John was born in Calloway County, KY, and is survived by his treasured wife of 30 years, Glinda West; two sons, David West of Calvert City and Jeff West of Lexington; one daughter, Jonna Jackson of Lexington; one step-daughter Dusti Benson of Henderson; 8 grandchildren, Kacie Wolf, Megan Forte, Kyle West, Matthew Jackson, Breana Turner, Cassie Grillon, Shelby Benson, and Corey Benson; 6 great-grandchildren, Madison Vaughn, Turner Mattingly, Hayden and Alaya Forte, Emerson Turner, Rory West; and 1 great-great grandchild, Trenton Vaughn. Our immediate and extended families will miss him greatly and wish to celebrate his life and legacy. Services will be at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, April 7, 2022, at Henderson Church of Christ. David Salisbury will officiate. Burial will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, April 6, 2022, at Rudy-Rowland Funeral Home and a short visitation will be available Thursday, April 7, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. until service time at Henderson Church of Christ. Contributions may be made to Henderson Church of Christ Building Fund. Online condolences may be made at www.rudyrowland.com.