JAMES RUSSELL “RUSTY” WEST

James Russell “Rusty” West, 67, passed away in La Grange, Texas on May 9, 2024, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Rusty was surrounded by his family at his passing.

Rusty was born on November 21, 1956, to Robert and Shirley West in Houston, TX. Rusty attended high school at both Cy-Fair and Katy and graduated from Temple High School.

Rusty began his career working for Daniel Industries where he became a certified welder working on projects for the Alyeska Pipeline. He later went to work for Katy Independent School District in 1985, starting as a groundskeeper and rising to a Team Supervisor. Rusty left KISD in 2008 to work at Rockwall as the Assistant Director of Maintenance. Rusty moved to LaGrange with his wife Pam in 2015 to be closer to his family where he worked as Director of Maintenance for LGISD. He later worked at both Bastrop and Elgin school districts.

On October 23, 1984, Rusty made the commitment to sobriety and celebrated 39 years of sobriety before his death. Rusty’s commitment to sobriety included sponsoring and counseling others as well as serving God and his fellow man. Rusty welcomed a son in 1989 in Katy. Rusty married his wife Pam West in Ponca City, OK in November 2004.

During his fifty plus years of work experience, Rusty became an expert at HVAC, plumbing, electrical work, welding, carpentry, auto repair and much more. Everyone always said he could fix anything. After being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, Rusty retired and spent his remaining years working on projects in his shop and generously giving of his time to help neighbors, family, and community.

Rusty was preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Shirley West, as well as brother Gary West.

Rusty is survived by his devoted wife Pam Newman West, son Jeremy West and wife Karen of Tomball, Tx , grandchildren Juliet Rose and August James West; sister Cathy West and wife Michele of Katy, TX; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Bethany and Brian Fredricks of Ponca City, OK; niece Jennifer Self and husband Johnny of Katy, TX; nephew Gary West and wife Karie of Waller, TX; nephew B. J. Fredricks of Ponca City, Ok.; and great nephews Walker, Wacey, and Wiley West of Waller, TX

A “Celebration of Life” memorial service will be held on June 1, 2024, at the Historic Casino Hall at 254 N Jefferson St, La Grange, TX beginning at 11:00 am followed by a reception.

The family would like to thank all the wonderful caregivers at Hospice Brazos Valley who cared for him with love and dignity, especially Amanda, Hope, Virginia, and Margie. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Hospice Brazos Valley at www.hospicebv.org.