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James West Obituary
James O. West
James O. West, 76, of Charlottesville, died peacefully on Wednesday, May 20, 2009, surrounded by his family.
He was born in Suffolk, on November 6, 1932, the son of the late Olan Joseph and Erma West. He was also predeceased by his wife, Delores Ann West.
Mr. West served in the United States Army from 1953 until 1955 and spent 15 months in Korea. On a G.I. Bill, he entered the University of Virginia in 1955 and majored in Education. Mr. West earned his Doctorate in 1975.
Mr. West's career at the University of Virginia started in 1959 until 1993. His love for baseball landed him a position as head coach for 20 years. He finished up his employment as the Associate Director of the University Athletic Program.
He is survived by one daughter, Andra Tarleton and her husband, Michael, of Spotsylvania, Virginia; one son, Olan Joseph West and his wife, Corinne West, of Kill Devil Hills, North Carolina; four grandchildren, Kelli and Zachary Tarleton, and Emily and Hanna West; one sister, Pauline Modlin of Suffolk; one brother, Tom West and his wife, Betty West, of Suffolk.
Mr. West was a devoted father, coach and friend to all who crossed his path. He enjoyed fishing, trips to the beach, baseball and spending time with his friends and family. He spent a great deal of time supporting Virginia Athletics. He may be gone, but he certainly isn't forgotten -- and never will be. He was from an era when a handshake or his word was a bond, and his friendship was everlasting.
A graveside funeral service will be held 2 p.m. Monday, May 25, 2009, at Monticello Memory Gardens with the Reverend Barry Penn Hollar officiating.
The family will receive friends from 6 until 8 p.m. Sunday, May 24, 2009, at the Hill and Wood Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the James West Fund for University of Virginia Baseball, Office of Development and Public Affairs, Gift Accounting, P.O. Box 400807, Charlottesville, VA 22904.
Friends may sign the guest book at www.hillandwood.com.
This obituary was originally published in the Daily Progress.
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Mary Ann Avery
June 18, 2009
To the family of Coach West,
I am so sorry to hear of your loss, and you have all my sympathy and prayers.
I know the UVA and Charlottesville community will miss him terribly. I was fortunate enough to have known Coach West in the mid-80's when he was Associate AD at Virginia and I was one of the managers for the basketball team. To this very day I will never walk across a basketball court wearing street shoes, because if we'd have done that then and Coach West would've seen us, we were certain he'd have killed us. I will always remember fondly what happened when the team was going to the NCAAs and seats were scarce on the plane, causing him to consider keeping two of us managers home. I believe he would've liked us all to think he was this tough, gruff old man, but his response belied that -- he listened carefully to our pleas, grumped a bit, then said "Oh go on, get out of here! Go ahead and get on the plane! But don't eat anything!" and gave us a big grin and a wink. He was tough but always fair.
I am sorry to hear of his passing, and he will be forever in my memories of my favorite people from my years at UVA. I will always be grateful for his wisdom and his example of responsibility and dedication. He was a good person. Please accept my sympathy, and I hope that you will find comfort in happy memories of him.
Lyndsay Thomas
June 17, 2009
In my mind, i still think James O West is here, but sadly he's not. He was a great coach, always gave good advice, and always had the last word. He's been a good inspiration and a good angel for the UVA baseball team. How else do you think they would get this far?
Thanks for being apart of my life, and teaching me to acheive my goals in life.
Love you, miss you.
-Lyndsay
Tom Allebaugh
June 3, 2009
I was so sorry to hear of the death of Jim. I was watching our wonderful baseball team play and the announcers mentioned it. I also arrived at UVA in the fall of 1955. One of the first people I met was Jim West. He was older, wiser, and much more mature than I. I spent a lot of time asking Jim a lot of questions and I always got very thoughtful and considerate answers. With Jim, what you saw was what you got, and that is a great virtue. I am sure he will always be remembered by the UVA family.
John Sabanosh
May 28, 2009
I am so saddened by the news of Jim’s passing. He was a dynamite human being and an awesome coach. I don’t know how many people are aware that, before he was baseball coach, Jim was coach of the Varsity Cross-Country Team, of which I was the Captain in 1959. Jim got a great deal of enjoyment out of telling people that the first cross-country meet he ever saw was the first one he coached at the University. He would always follow that statement with his patented wide grin. His sense of humor was unsurpassed. I am very fortunate that I had an opportunity to know him. The world has lost one of the great ones. Please accept my deepest sympathy.
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Reedy Tomlin
May 26, 2009
To the Family of Mr. West,
I am so sorry for your loss. My Father, Pete Tomlin worked with Mr. West for many years at UVa Athletic Dept. I only heard wonderful things about him. May God comfort you in the difficult days ahead.
jimmy naylor
May 25, 2009
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived.
Sheila & Mike Meek
May 25, 2009
Olan & Andra, your father was one of a kind. He was truly a man of his word and will be missed by all who knew him. We are all thankful for the wonderful memories that he has left us with.
Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you all at this time.
David Harris
May 24, 2009
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Cocky Rodgers
May 24, 2009
I can still see Jim & Joe hanging out together at some of how favor water holes.
Jim will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Tina Adkins
May 23, 2009
Mr. West was one of the nicest persons I have met. He had such a great personality. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.
Ed & Roberta Henry
May 23, 2009
It is a privilege to have known Jim both personally and professionally. He set the standard for loyalty to The University and its athletic department. Our sympathies are extended to the family.
Ed & Roberta Henry
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