Father James P. West, 59, dies March 8

Published: March 9, 2020

Father James P. West, pastor of St. Edward Church in Texarkana, died unexpectedly March 8 in the rectory at St. Edward. He was 59. A rosary and vigil will be held at 6 p.m., Sunday, March 15 at St. Edward Church in Texarkana. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Monday, March 16 also at St. Edward Church. Burial will be in Holy Cross Cemetery in the Priest Circle in Texarkana, Texas. A lunch will follow at Sacred Heart Church in Texarkana, Texas. All are invited.

Father Greg Luyet, judicial vicar, addressed the following letter to diocesan staff, Monday, March 9, 2020, regarding the death of Father James West on March 8:

"It is with great sadness, but with faith in eternal life, that I write to you to announce the death of Father Jim West. He passed away suddenly and unexpectedly last night in his rectory in Texarkana at the age of 59.

"Father West was born in Texarkana, Texas, in 1960. He attended Holy Trinity Seminary in Dallas, Texas, beginning in 1980, and was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Andrew J. McDonald at the Cathedral of St. Andrew on May 31, 1986.

"Father West’s first assignment was as associate pastor of Christ the King in Little Rock. From there, he was named pastor of St. Boniface in New Dixie, St. Elizabeth in Adona, and St. Francis in Little Italy in 1990. In 1996 he was made pastor of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs. In 2001 he was named pastor of Immaculate Conception and St. Anne in North Little Rock. He was then named pastor of St. John the Baptist in Hot Springs in 2011.

"And, finally, in 2017 he was made pastor of St. Edward in Texarkana, St. Elizabeth Ann Seton in Ashdown and Sacred Heart in Foreman. He also served as a prison chaplain at the Federal Correctional Institution in Texarkana, Texas, and at the Arkansas Department of Corrections Regional Correctional Center in Texarkana, Arkansas.

"Father West was a dedicated priest whose priestly zeal impacted many throughout our diocese, well beyond just the places to which he was assigned. Funeral arrangements are still pending, and details will be shared with you once they become available.

"Your brother in Christ,
Father Greg Luyet
Judicial Vicar"

Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord. And let the perpetual light shine upon him. And may he and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.