James "Jim" Albert West, cherished father, grandfather, and friend, tragically left us on November 15, 2024, in Ripon, California at the age of 84. Born and raised in Elmhurst, New York, Jim was the son of James Robert West and Helen (West) Waterfall.
Following high school, Jim briefly attended NYU before enlisting in the NY Army National Guard then transferred into U.S. Air Force. His service as an MP sparked a lifelong career in law enforcement. After the Air Force, being stationed in California, he began his law enforcement career with the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. In the mid 1960’s, Jim joined the Oakland Police Department and moved to the Bay Area. He rose through the ranks to Detective Sergeant, Team Leader of the Oakland PD SOS/SWAT Team, earning numerous citations of honor for his dedication and exemplary service.
Upon retiring from Oakland PD, Jim had a brief stint with the San Joaquin County Sheriffs’s Department and then continued to serve his community as a Detective for the Ripon Police Department for 10 years, where he was named Police Officer of the Year. Following his second retirement, Jim worked with a Private Military Police Organization, training foreign police in Bosnia during the Bosnian War.
After returning from Bosnia, Jim enjoyed the simple life, doing Private Security for the Foster Farms and the Foster Family, then moved to Idaho for 10 years before briefly moving to Connecticut to be closer to his oldest son and grandsons. He then returned to Ripon, where he spent his later years surrounded by family and friends. He enjoyed watching and attending football & baseball games and cherished the camaraderie he found at the Ripon VFW & American Legion Hall.
Jim was an avid sports fan, a die-hard 49ers and Yankees supporter. Jim’s love for sports began in his childhood when he played baseball, and that passion carried into his adult life as he coached his sons in baseball, soccer, and football into their high school years. His passion for sports was only matched by his love for music, particularly artists like Frank Sinatra, Elvis, and old country legends like Waylon Jennings. His larger-than-life personality and infectious laugh made him beloved by all who knew him. Jim was often the life of any gathering, known for his humor, impressions, storytelling, singing, dancing and unforgettable karaoke performances. His laughter, his love for family, and his vibrant personality will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him. His memory will live on in the stories he shared, the games he loved, and the legacy he leaves behind.
He was preceded in death by his parents, and his son; James Justin (JJ) West. He leaves behind his son, Sean West, daughters Salli-Anne Newhard (Keith), Teri Leigh West, Jennifer Lobis (Steven), Nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, his brother Robert West (Sally).
Services will be on Friday, December 13, 2024 at the Ripon Cemetery, 320 North Stockton Ave., Starting at 11 a.m., preceded by a reception at the American Legion Post 190, 206 South Stockton Ave.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Friday, December 13, 2024
