Jack West

Jack West, 90, of Groom, died Saturday, December 17, 2016 at his home in Groom. A Celebration of Life service will be at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at the Groom United Methodist Church in Groom, with Rev. Todd Dyess, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Cemetery in McLean. Arrangements are under the direction of Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors in Pampa. Mr. West was born August 1, 1926 in Harmony, Arkansas, one of fifteen children of Charley and Ina West. Jack grew up in Oklahoma and Texas, making his home in Groom for sixty four years. He met Bettye Johnston in McLean, and they were married in 1952. They moved to Groom where Jack worked for Wheeler-Evans for eleven years. In 1963, he and Bettye purchased the Groom Truck Terminal and operated the business on Route 66, twenty-four hours a day for twenty years, retiring in 1983. They were inducted into the Route 66 Hall of Fame in 1992. The “open door” policy at their business was mirrored in their home where over many years they entertained and sheltered hundreds of family members and friends. Jack never met a stranger and never hesitated to give someone a “hand up." He had a passion for his family and friends, bowling, golf, dancing, singing and telling stories. Jack was an active member of the Groom United Methodist Church and was a 32nd Degree Scottish Rite Mason and a member of Khiva Shrine Temple of Amarillo. Jack was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, four sisters, three grandchildren, a great-grandchild and one son-in-law. Survivors include his wife, Bettye of the home; a son, Jim West and wife Carol of Victoria; three daughters, Margaret Hardin and husband Rodney of Cedar Park, Shirley Culver and husband Steve Wesson, and Alice Wells, all of Salado; eight grandchildren, Austin, Andrew, Chloe, B. J., Mandy, Russell, LonAnne and Kristi; thirteen great-grandchildren; three brothers, Walt West and Roland West and wife Dixie, all of Pampa, and Billy West and wife Geraldine of Prescott Valley, Arizona; a sister, Mary Lister and husband John of Santa Paula, California; many loved nieces and nephews, and many close friends. Family will receive friends from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM, Monday, December 19, 2016, at Carmichael-Whatley Funeral Directors. Memorials may be made to Groom United Methodist Church, 303 E 2nd St, Groom, TX 79039, Groom Fire Department, 203 Broadway Ave, Groom, TX 79039 or the Groom Ambulance Service, 203 Broadway Ave, Groom, TX 79039.