Jim West

Jim West, 77, of White Sulphur Springs, Montana, passed away on Sunday, May 3, 2015. Jim was a beloved father, grandfather, and great grandfather who loved spending time with his grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, and hauling firewood. Jim was a man who would go on a picnic, and bring firewood back with him. He was also a joy to be around, as he was a real kidder. Jim was born on November 13, 1937, in Wilsall, Montana, to William and Rose (Divine) West. He began school in Great Falls. However, when still quite young, Jim contracted the mumps and measles, leaving him almost blind. He was then able to attend the Montana School for the Blind and Deaf for seven years to adjust to his new life. Afterwards, he went to school back in Wilsall, where he graduated from 8th grade. He then attended school in Clyde Park for a year, but returned to Wilsall to be the youngest in his family to start work. Jim worked on ranches, in service stations, road construction, and at the local saw mill. On May 29, 1959, Jim married Betty Lou Hurst. Together they raised their five children. They were divorced in 1989. In 2000, after being legally blind for over sixty years, Jim received the gift of sight. He was the first ever to receive “acrylic foldable minus power intra-ocular” lenses. Jim said of his surgery, “People can receive their furs and jewels and material things, but I received the greatest gift of all, my sight.” Jim is preceded in death by his parents, his brothers William A. West, Robert West, Charles Raymond, and his sisters Francis Mae, Sylvia Faye, Dorothy West and Ruth West. He is survived by his children Clint West (Karen Howe)of Park City, Betty Kay (Matthew) Lowe, John (Cheryl) West and Bradley (Tammy) West of White Sulphur Springs, and Jerami (Liv) West of Vermillion, SD; his niece Linda Bears (Garry) of White Sulphur Springs and nephew John West (Diana) of Livingston; his ten grandchildren: Cameron and Ryan, Christie, Derrick, and Tyler, Scott and Whitley, Signe and Caden, and Brittany; his great grandchildren Max and Bridger, as well as several nieces and nephews. A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, May 8, at 1:00 PM, at the Mountain View Community Church in White Sulphur Springs.