It’s with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of James “Jim” David West, 74, of Pinesdale, MT who returned to his Father in Heaven on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 at his home.
Jim was born on January 2, 1950 in Emporia, Kansas to David Elgin West and Virginia May Alderdice West, the second oldest of seven children. He was always a leader, graduating from Butte High School as class president and student body president in 1969. He also excelled in sports: football, track, wrestling as well as participating in Pep Club and the Top 16. He attended college in Miles City, Montana where he received several certificates and degrees while working for Montana Power. Later on, he attended Montana Tech where he earned a diesel mechanics degree.
In 1972, Jim married the love of his life, Ausra Eugenia Rudvalis. They met at church in Butte, MT where he was giving his homecoming address after his LDS mission to Mexico. It was love at first sight for both of them and they were a match made in heaven; the definition of true love. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend. He had the ability to talk to anyone and make them feel important, heard, and valued. If you knew him, you were his friend.
As a father, Jim supported his family by working at Montana Power for 10 years locally. Jim then moved his family 500 miles away and continued his 1000-mile-round-trip commute for another nine years. Afterwards, he worked as a Master Farmer with West Greenhouse and West Naturals Farm, coining the phrase “Taste a Real Tomato!” Ausra and Jim participated in and helped start many farmers markets in the Bitterroot Valley and surrounding areas. As needed, Jim would work odd jobs including a ski lift and diesel mechanic and was even a water tender (fire truck) driver/operator.
Jim is survived by his beloved wife of 52 years, Ausra; his siblings: Nancy and Paul Murray, Charlotte and Fred Wheeler, Dan and Jo West; in-laws Diana and Mary West; his children: David West and Melissa Parker West, Judy and Sam Allred, Sonja West, Robert and Tara West, Natalie and Shaun Radmall, John and Erin West, Sarah and David Ray, Stephen and Emily West, Sean and Farrah West; his 36 grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. Jim is cherished by all who knew him. He was preceded in death by his mother Virginia, his father David, his siblings: Maryann Swinton, Howard West, Tom West; and Jim’s son Jimmy.
Jim was known for his unwavering faith in God which he developed as a child. His example and his testimony have brought many people to Christ. He witnessed many miracles in his life. He was a living miracle for us, defying death numerous times. He suffered his first heart attack at 54 and we were incredibly blessed to have him for another 20 years. In 2023, he was diagnosed with MDS blood cancer which weakened his body.
Jim was known for his green thumb or as his wife lovingly says, “his green arm.” He could grow anything which he proved, time and time again. From tasty tomatoes to half-ton pumpkins (his biggest weighing in at 1002 lbs) and everything in between, horticulture definitely was his passion.
If there was anything that Jim needed or wanted to learn, he knew that someone, somewhere wrote about how to do it. Jim turned “I don’t know” into “I don’t know yet” through determination and ingenuity despite dyslexia. In his later years, Jim turned that dedication towards a deeper devotion to studying scripture. Brothers Mortuary & Crematory is honored to care for Mr. James D. West. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family. at www.brothersmortuary.com