Joe Edward West

Joe Edward West, age 82, of Meridian, Texas, passed away March 1, 2024.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, March 30, at 10:00 at Lawson Funeral Home.

Joe Edward West was born on August 23, 1941 in Rusk County, Texas to Floyd and Bettie West. Joe had
a mind like no other. While growing up on a small farm, he could always be found “tinkering,” whether
learning mechanics in his dad’s shop or repairing his neighbors clocks. After graduating from high school,
he took business classes before starting his first business in 1967 and being granted his first patent in 1969
for an automatic steel tying machine. He then moved to Oklahoma where he began working with the Burford
Corporation where he oversaw the development of multiple machines including those which bag bread and
citrus products automatically. He moved back to Texas, started West Research and Design, and ultimately
settled in Meridian in 1983.

His brilliance, inventions, ideas (and sometimes stubbornness) were seemingly endless. Some of his other
accomplishments and inventions include a de-icing machine for a major airline company, a blender for the
oil field industry, pneumatic pumps that are used in hospital operating rooms, and the commercial flagpole
winch, which continues to be manufactured in Meridian today.

When he was not drawing his ideas on yellow legal pads, he loved to fish on the Bosque River, ride Honda
Fat Cats around the farm and river, dance, read fiction, and pitch washers. He was almost never without a
dog companion earning him the nickname of the dog whisperer, and he loved to teach anyone and everyone
something new or “how to do it his way,” which was obviously the right way.

Left to cherish his memories are his son, Paris Luh; daughters, Kimberlie West Brashear and husband Bob,
Krystal West Roberts and husband Justin, and Anna West and husband Jonathan Siragusa; grandchildren,
Christopher, Westin, Meredith, and Kennedy; and many nieces and nephews, whom he loved dearly.  

He was preceded in death by too many pets to name; his parents; brothers, Loren and Larry; and sister, Mary; and his first granddaughter Jamie.

Joe will be remembered by many for a time when he may have helped them physically, financially. or often, with some wise advice. On birthdays he told his children they were simply "one day older."  Instead of regretting his loss of his "next day older," Joe would want his family to celebrate and remember his accomplishments and gifts to society and to lift a glass of their favorite beverage in his honor.

Lawson Funeral Home, Meridian, Texas, has been entrusted to the services of Joe.  Our thoughts and prayers are with all who knew and loved him. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.lawsonfuneralhome.net.