Oliver I. West Jr. Obituary

Oliver Ilan West, Jr. 78, departed this earthly life on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, surrounded by many who loved him. Born May 16, 1944, in Oklahoma City, OK, he was raised in an Army family with sister Beverly Twaddell (Bob) of Houston, TX, and Barbara West (David McCullough) of Dallas, TX. His parents, Colonel Oliver I West and Frances Marian Kelly West, raised him to be a kind man. They preceded him in death.

Ollie graduated from Leavenworth High School, participating in the JROTC program. He graduated from Oklahoma State University in 1966 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant, Armor Branch, United States Army. He married and had two daughters, both of Leavenworth: Angela West and Amber West, whom he would raise as a single father. His career included a tour in Vietnam, (1969-1970) serving in the Americal Division (23rd Infantry Division) at Chu Lai the same time his father was also serving in Vietnam. He earned a Master's in Business Administration with an emphasis in economics while on ROTC duty at University of Texas El Paso.

After returning from a European assignment, Ollie and the girls made their home at Fort Hood, TX. While serving as the Assistant Chief of Staff Services for the 13th Support Command he met the love of his life, Kathryn Walker, when he went to check out classified documents. They married at the Support Command Chapel on Nov 22, 1986. In December 1987 Ollie retired from military service and joined Kathryn in the Kansas City area, subsequently taking more schooling and ultimately passing the CPA exam after which he worked as an accountant.

The Wests moved to Atlanta, GA for a two-year period, but yearned to go back home where a more leisurely pace could be maintained. Lasting only about nine months, the Wests dove into the purchase and restoration of an historic property in downtown Leavenworth, ultimately turning it into The Pot Rack, a favorite destination of kitchen store fans, made even more fun with a large building addition. Ollie loved the team that worked at TPR, and he made so many friends, including little customers that he watched grow up. One of his favorite memories was having young Elizabeth practice her alphabet as she looked for her parents' coffee club card, punching it, and refiling it in the proper place. He valued every customer and loved the conversations. The Wests announced their retirement in early January 2020 as they were still looking for that leisurely lifestyle.

Ollie's activities throughout his life have been golf, running, bicycling, and working in the yard. He has completed numerous half and full marathons and 100-mile bike rides. He never met a used car he didn't like. His prowess on the grill and smoker meant something great on the plate and he especially enjoyed serving it to his family and family of friends. He loved being with and supporting his wife more than anything in the world.

He was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Leavenworth; the Henry Leavenworth Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution; and the American Legion Post 23. He volunteered in the community and especially enjoyed working at Greenwood Cemetery and cleaning up 3-Mile Creek.

He is survived by his wife of 36 years, his daughters, sisters, his father in-law, Jack Walker, Leavenworth, and other Walker family members, as well as two grandsons and four nephews on the West side, and a niece and three nephews on the Walker side. His parents achieved their objective; he was a kind man.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 29, 2023, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Davis Funeral Chapel, Leavenworth. Services will be held at the First United Methodist Church, 5th and Chestnut, on Monday, January 30, 2023, at 11 a.m., followed by a lunch. Interment with full military honors will be at Leavenworth National Cemetery at 1:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Nurture and Care Work Group of Leavenworth First United Methodist Church or the Greenwood Cemetery Preservation Commission fencing project in care of the Leavenworth County Historical Society (checks: GCPC / LCHS – memo: Greenwood fencing.).