Rev. James R. West

Rev. James R. West, 85, of rural Sweet Springs, MO, died Wednesday, March 2, 2022, at his home. Memorial visitation will be from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Friday, March 11, 2022, at Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home in Sweet Springs. At Jim’s request, no service will be held. In lieu of flowers the family suggests that memorials be made to Fitzgibbon-Mary Montgomery Hospice. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com Born February 7, 1937, in Ponca City, OK, he was the son of the late Leo F. West and Hazel Jones West. Jim graduated from John Marshall High School in Oklahoma City, OK, in 1955 and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Montana and his Master of Divinity degree from Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City. On June 30, 1962, he married Lois A. Jacobson who survives of the home. Jim and Lois pastored Smith Fork Baptist Church in Osborn, MO, First Baptist Church in Sweet Springs, MO, Trinity Baptist Church in Billings, MT, and then retired from Ashland Baptist Church in Ashland, MO. They returned to the Sweet Springs area in 2003, with Jim serving as interim pastor for several churches, and becoming a member of the Sweet Springs Historical Society. In addition to his wife, Lois; he is survived by three children: Amy West-Fuin (Davide) of Murano, Italy, Julie Hicks (Kevin) of Sturgeon, MO and James A. West (Jenny) of Ashland, MO; 10 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; as well as other extended family. Jim was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Max G. West.