James “Jim” Everett West, Sr., 84, from League City, Texas died on Sunday, August 20, 2017 in Nassau Bay, Texas after a two-year battle with cancer.  He fought until the end and never once complained – he was a strong and proud man.

Everett was born on February 8, 1933 in Bay Minette, Alabama to Irby Lee West and Claudia Johnson.

One of his favorite childhood stories was not about him, but about his friend, Mcneal.  Mcneal tried to avoid a spanking from his dad by climbing a tree to get away.  Mcneal’s dad proceeded to cut down the tree, and Mcneal got that spanking!  It made an impact on Everett… he still talked about the time Mcneal’s dad cut down that tree.

He saw Joyce Marie Downey working at the A&W Root Beer stand in Bay Minette and fell in love.  He would come to see her at work and she would duck under the counter.  He was persistent though, and she finally gave in and went on a date with him.  He married Joyce on August 2, 1957 in Whitehouse Fork, Alabama and they just celebrated their 60th Anniversary.  Needless to say, his favorite fountain drink was root beer!

He grew up in Whitehouse Fork, until he joined the United States Navy in 1951.  When he returned from service in 1955, he went to work at Brookley Air Force Base in Mobile, Alabama.  He worked as an Air Traffic Controller until Brookley announced their closure in 1966.  He moved to San Antonio and worked at Kelly Air Force Base for a short time before being hired at NASA in 1967.  He worked as a Transportation Specialist with NASA, where he worked with the Mercury, Apollo, and Space Shuttle programs, including the Saturn moon launches.  He was also one of the few selected to work on the Super Guppy payload transfers.  He retired from NASA in 1988 to become a “Full-time Golfer”.

He LOVED his golf and I would venture to say he would consider his hole-in-one as one of his greatest accomplishments in life.  He was on the golf course every day he could make it after he retired, for over 25 years!  Not to mention the 10+ years he golfed on weekends before he retired.  He made many lifelong friends and golfing buddies on the course… it was his second home.

He also LOVED his kids and grandkids.  He enjoyed spending time with them, watching them play their favorite sport, and growing into responsible young adults.  He was so proud of all of them and their accomplishments, especially the fact that all five grandkids are currently enrolled in college.

He looked forward to Mexican food and margaritas with friends every week and playing cards with the ladies on Mondays.  He was fond of sitting and watching the hummingbirds and listening to his wind chimes on the patio.  He got a kick out of wearing bright colored shirts, but his favorite color was blue (worn by the pallbearers in his honor).

He is survived by his spouse, Joyce Downey West of League City, Texas; children James E. West, Jr., and wife, Beth of Belforest, Alabama; Vicki Irby, and husband Bill of Buda, Texas; Sheri Howe, and husband Brock of League City, Texas; grandchildren Traci Green, Logan Howe, Gavin Howe, Michael Green, Cole Irby; sister Barbara Curry and sister Jenita Reid.

He is predeceased by his brother Conrad West, brother Jimmy Dayle West, and brother-in-law Richard Curry.

Visitation on Friday, August 25, 2017 @ 6:00pm @ Whitehouse Fork PH Church in Whitehouse Fork, Alabama

Services will be held on Saturday, August 26, 2017 @ 11:00am @ Whitehouse Fork PH Church in Whitehouse Fork, Alabama

Burial @ White Cemetery in Whitehouse Fork, Alabama

Pallbearers: James E. West, Jr., Brock Howe, Bill Irby, Logan Howe, Gavin Howe, Michael Green

Norris Funeral Home in Bay Minette, Alabama and Crowder Funeral Home in League City, Texas