Memorial
James “Jim” Lee West, 70, of Mesa, Arizona passed away on Sunday, June 25, 2017 at home surrounded by his loving family. A visitation will be on Friday, June 30 from 4 to 8 P.M. in the Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories Stateroom. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, July 1, 2017 at 10:30 A.M. at Cedar Memorial Chapel of Memories. Rev. Elizabeth Hilkerbaumer of First Presbyterian Church of Marion will officiate. Entombment will be held following the service at Cedar Memorial.
James was born on August 8, 1946, in Ottumwa, Iowa to John Curtis and Cora (Florence) West. He later attended Indian Hills Community College and Coe College in Cedar Rapids. Jim married Joan Klekacz on July 14, 1967. They later divorced and he married Marjean (Graf) Zalesky on August 5, 2000.
Jim joined the staff of Peoples Bank, Cedar Rapids on February 28, 1973. He was employed by them and their successors, Norwest Bank and Wells Fargo Bank until retiring on May 12, 2006 after 36 years. In 1995 Jim moved to the Quad Cities where he became Vice-president of Personal Banking. In 2002 he moved to Lake Havasu City, AZ where he became President of the River Cities Region of Wells Fargo Bank serving 10 area banks. While in Iowa he was a Boy Scout leader and served on the Cedar Rapids Symphony board. Jim served as President of the Eastern Iowa Chapter of the American Institute of Banking, Chairman for the State of Iowa, and then Area 5 Director on the National Board of Directors as well as President of the Linn County Bankers Association and was a member of the American Bankers Association Advisory Council. Wherever he lived, Jim served many capacities for the United Way, Junior Achievement, Chamber of Commerce and on the boards of the banks where he worked. Jim received a Presidential citation from President George H.W. Bush for his volunteer work. Jim and his wife Marj were active members of Love of Christ Lutheran Church in Mesa and enjoyed serving as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus each year for the preschool. They were also members of Cactus Ramblers Camping Club, Wine-A-Bit and traveled extensively in their motor home.
Jim was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend. He will be missed deeply by everyone who knew and loved him.
Jim is survived by his wife Marjean, of Mesa, son Dale, of Cedar Rapids, three daughters: Connie Earl, of Mesa, Kathryn West, of Charlotte, NC, and Julia (Ron) Hendred, of Marion, stepson Mark (Christina) Zalesky, of Knoxville, TN, and stepdaughter Renee Zalesky (Erich Gottschalk) of North Smithfield, RI. Jim is also survived by 18 grandchildren: Dawn (Ryan) Long, Sunshine Steger, Joshua (Kristie) Steger, Chase Gift, Cord (Kelly), Gage and Taylor West, Ieshia, Breiana and Mahlia Brown, Madison and Lauren Taylor, Shannon (Garrett) Davis, Kylie Earl, John Zalesky, Caelyn Gottschalk, Cairron and Calaisha Hendred. Great-grandchildren: Jaxson and Carson Long, Kiana Shannon, Hailey and Callie Gift, Braeden Marsh, and Rylee West. He is also survived by his brother Ron West, San Antonio, TX.
Jim was preceded in death by his parents, brother John West and sister Doloris Davidson.
Memorial contributions may be given to the American Heart Association, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or Love of Christ Lutheran Church of Mesa.
A memorial service will be held at a later date in Mesa.