James R. "Jim" West

Jim West of Green passed away on Friday, March 24, 2023, shortly after celebrating 90 years of life with loved ones. After several months of declining health, Jim died peacefully at home with his wife of 58 years, Kathleen, and their children by his side. 

Jim was born in Akron, Ohio on February 12, 1933, to the late William Thomas and Olive Mae (Ross) West.  The youngest of four children, Jim enlisted in the Army at age 18, serving stateside during the Korean War as a mechanic working on L-19 Bird Dog aircraft and fulfilling his newfound passion for all things aviation. Jim was a long-time member of the AeroFlyers Club for RC aircraft, and earned his private pilot’s license at age 56, going on to explore the skies of the Midwest in his free time. After a 32-year career with Goodyear, Jim shared his love of U.S. history, motorcycles, airplanes, classic cars, and boating with his friends, children, and grandchildren, and spent many hours in the pages of books and under the hood of cars and aircraft, doing what brought him joy.

Along with his parents, Jim was preceded in death by his son, James Michael West; brother, William West; sisters, Doris (Curtis) Wolfe and Nancy (Lloyd) Steiner.  He is survived by his loving wife, Kathleen West; children Noreen (Kevin) Gordon, Steve (Alison) West, and Jamie Falasz; grandchildren Ray Gordon, Aiden Falasz, and William Ross West; daughter-in-law, Darlene West; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Jim’s family will honor his memory in a private ceremony with military honors at the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman, Ohio where he will join his fellow service members in duty to and love of country.  People wishing to honor Jim’s legacy can make donations to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, or by visiting their website at https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org.  To leave a special message online for the family, visit our website at www.schermesserfh.com.

SCHERMESSER
(330) 899-9107
www.schermesserfh.com

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