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J. C. West, 94, passed away Wednesday, October 28, 2009. He is survived by his wife Beatrice West; children, Sandra Braswell Jenkins, Nancy Lister and husband Jimmy, John West and wife Cathie (CJ), Joseph Murrietta and wife Alberta, daughter-in-law, Pat Blea Murrietta, and many grandchildren; and great-grandchildren. Mr. West was preceded in death by his son Jerry West, step-son Dennis Murrietta, his three sisters (Anne, Lura and Alta) and two brothers (Otis and Tommie). Born in 1915 in Necessity, TX, he graduated from Pain Rock High School in 1932. Other education includes graduation from Hemphill Diesel Engineering School in Los Angeles, CA in 1938. The Great Depression found Mr. West working at a bakery, a soda fountain, an industrial laundry and measuring agricultural fields for the government in addition to helping to run the family ranch with his older brother. Wanting to find a way off the ranch in 1936 he bought a bowling alley in Sweetwater, TX which was, he thought, the answer to his dreams. The place was packed with customers all winter long, but then, as spring and summer approached, the townspeople went back to farming and ranching leaving the lanes empty along with the cash drawer. So, it was back to the ranch for survival. In 1938, he traveled to Los Angeles, CA to attend diesel engineering school with hopes of being hired by one of the companies doing exploration off the coast of South America, but the jobs were scarce and he was again needed to help his brother work the ranch. In February of 1941, Mr. West joined the US Army serving stateside until the attack on Pearl Harbor. He then served for the duration of the war with the 1st Armored Division in North Africa (Tunisia, Algeria, French Morocco) and Italy (Anzio, Naples and Foggia). After the war, he returned to ranching in Paint Rock until he and his brother decided to sell the livestock and move on for good. He would say, "I knew God was sending me a message after weeks of hauling water from the Concho River to thirsty cows and sheep after too many days of drought, only to sell the livestock just one day before it rained like crazy for several days." With cash in hand, Mr. West then ventured into the movie business, or as he would frequently say with a half smile, "the wrong end of the movie business". In 1948, his Terrace Drive-in was the first to open in west Texas. The citizens of Big Spring were treated to movies shown on the white wall of a building next to the dirt lot where folks parked their cars and listened to the soundtrack emanating from two giant speakers that hung from trees. Having some success and looking to expand, his next venture would take him to Grants, NM in 1950 where he bought, owned and operated the Lux and West theaters, the Trails and Sahara Drive-in theaters for many years. In 1975, he and a partner opened a recording studio in Albuquerque where artists from around the state, including his son John and fellow band members, would come to record their music. He enjoyed very much being all around "go to" guy, promoter, manager, sound engineer and "roadie" for the bands in which John played for lots of years. Along his life path, Mr. West was involved in several business partnerships that netted him lifelong friends, regardless of the success or failure of the ventures. He counted himself fortunate and was most thankful for those friendships. We, as a family, feel blessed that Dad lived such a good and lengthy life leaving us with so many warm memories. We will miss him greatly. Private entombment will take place at Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the The Alzheimer's Association, Albuquerque Chapter 9500 Montgomery NE, Suite, 121 Albuquerque, NM 87111. Please visit our online guestbook for Mr. West at www.RememberTheirStory.com French 10500 Lomas Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM (505) 275-3500
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