Funeral service for Mr. Donald I. West Jr., 76, will be held on Monday March 27, 2023, at Immaculate Catholic Church with Father Trey Ange officiating. Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 26, 2023, in the Miguez Funeral Home Chapel from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. and will resume on Monday from 12 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. which will be the time to depart for church.
Cremation is to follow the service on Monday. Cremation has been entrusted to Miguez Funeral Home of Jennings.
Don was born on April 22, 1946, in Kermit, Texas, to Donald I. West Sr. and Margaret Boudreaux West. He grew up in Jennings, La., where he later attended Jennings High School and graduated in 1964. He then continued his education and attended Northeast Louisiana State College (NLU). Shortly after he attended college, he enlisted into the U.S. Navy in 1967.
Don proudly served two tours in Vietnam while he was enlisted. During his tours, he was attached to the U.S. Naval Support Activity while also serving with the Mobile Riverine Force Mekong Delta and Naval Supply Center in Saigon. He served on the U.S.S. Boxer LPH4 helicopter carrier until she was decommissioned, and then he served on the U.S.S. Willard Keith. After his tours had come to an end, Don was honorably discharged in November 1970.
After his service, he became a small business owner and operator, one of which was Allwest Business Machines in Jennings for over 25 years. Don also began writing a weekly opinion column for the Jennings Daily newspaper called “The Way I See It” which he did for 15+ years. This column created many comments both positive and negative throughout the community.
He was also on the Advisory Board for the Jennings American Legion Hospital for many years. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Jennings where he was serving as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector. Don is also a life member of the Vietnam Veterans of America and the chairman for the Jennings Civil Service Board.
Left to cherish his memory are his sons, Matthew (Melanie) West of Ragley, Robert Andrew West of Evangeline; and step-son, Chris (Deborah) Faulk of Metairie; step-daughter, Lindsay (Mike) Kratzer of Metairie; brother, Tim (Judy) West of Hot Springs; mother-in-law, Esther Hebert of Jennings; special friend, Marie Romero of Jennings; eight grandchildren, Lance, Lana, Sarah, Taylor, Alex, Lucy, Ellie and Kirsten; and one great-grandchild, Gracie.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Linda Whiddon West; second wife, Barbara “Bobbye” Sonnier West; and sister, Donna Fay West Bonin.
In lieu of flowers, the family has requested to make a donation to Tunnel to Towers.