Funeral services for J.W. "Johnny" West were held on Monday, May 5, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. in the Claybar Kelley-Watkins Chapel with an interment service at 2:00 p.m. in the Sycamore Cemetery in Burkeville, Texas. Reverend F. E. Derryberry, pastor of Suburban Acres Baptist Church officiated. Visitation was from 4 - 8:00 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.

Johnny was born June 26, 1937 in Weirgate, Texas to Louis O. West, Sr. and Delana Gilstrap West and passed away on May 2, 2008 at Harbor Hospice in Beaumont.

He served his country in the National Guard and was in the U.S. Navy for fifteen years. He was a Vietnam veteran and survivor of the July 29, 1967 fire on the U. S. Forrestal Aircraft Carrier in the Gulf of Tonkin. Johnny also served over four years on active duty in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

He played the guitar and sang country and gospel music along the Atlantic coast from Norfolk to Virginia Beach. He also sang in the opry houses in cities along the Gulf Coast. He was an active member of Suburban Acres Baptist Church in Beaumont and enjoyed sing songs of praise to our Lord.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, William M. and Zimmer J. West; parents, Louis and Delana West; brother, Louis O. West; 2 sisters; and nephew Clayton Epps.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Janice Tiffany West; sisters, Ann McGlothin Gaudet and Irene Williams; niece, Jeniece Epps; nephews, Gary Epps, Donald McGlothin; four step children; eight step grandchildren and one step great-grandson.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to the staff of the Julie Rogers Cancer Center and Harbor Hospice for their loving care during Johnny's illness and final days.