Roy Lee West Sr.

Roy Lee West, Sr.

Major U.S Air Force, Retired

Resident of Livermore

Dec. 15, 1918 - Oct. 8, 2010

On October 8, 2010, Roy West's extraordinary life on Earth came to a peaceful end with loving family by his side. Roy was born in Grand Bayou, Louisiana to Pearlie and Andrew Lee West. His first wife, Anne, his sister Rubye and his stepdaughter Sharon preceded him in death. He is survived by his wife, Ernestine, his children Andrea, Judy, Susan and Roy, his stepsons Robert and Rick Cassese, his grandchildren Moshe, Samara, Marika, Eric, David, Megan, Anne and Julian, and his great grandchildren Bryce, Charline, Sylvyanna and Tallulah.

As a young man, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corp from 1936 - 1940 and marched in FDR's second inaugural parade in January 1937. He then joined the US Army Air Force from 1940 - 1945 and served in North Africa during WW II, from 1943 - 1945 as a 1st Lieutenant. He joined the Air Force Reserves, and proudly retired as a Major on June 30, 1964 after 20 years of service.

He started working for the City of San Jose on June 26, 1946, as the Superintendant of Alum Rock Park. As one of his dear friends and co-workers, Tony, stated "Roy, it was your leadership . . ." Roy then became the General Parks Supervisor for the San Jose Parks and Recreation Department and retired in 1975, after 29 years of service.

His entrepreneurial skills excelled as he started several small businesses with his first wife Anne. Many will remember his Frostee booth at the Santa Clara County Fair, which he ran for 50 years and his food booths at Fremont Drag Strip. He also loved his apricot orchard in Evergreen and his foreman, Jesus Murillo and his family. Many youth in San Jose worked for Mr. West at many of his businesses, whether it was serving food or preparing 'cots for drying in the sun.

Roy West, a person of enormous energy, great initiative, vision, and humor, will be remembered at a Celebration of Life service, planned for Tuesday, Nov. 9, at 11:00 AM at the Stone Church of Willow Glen, 1937 Lincoln Ave. San Jose, CA 95125. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Veterans of Foreign Wars of The United States or to Hope Hospice, Inc. 6377 Clark Ave. Suite 100, Dublin, CA 94568.