Dr. Joe E. West ’54

March 8, 1932 – June 5, 2020

Joe Earl West was the oldest of five children born in Woodward, Texas, to Joe C. West and Jozie Oakes West. The family would soon include brothers Robby, Dale, and Milton, and sister Mary Lee. They lived on the farm their father ranched, growing up during tough economic times, but surrounded by love. When Joe was 15, his 14-year-old brother Robby died.  The family decided on a new life start in Cotulla, Texas as his father gave up farming and took a job as a mechanic and his mother became a very popular teacher’s assistant at the elementary school level.

In high school, Joe’s agriculture teachers had a major influence on him, as they had been Texas Aggies and part of “Ol’ Army” themselves. There was much talk of Aggieland and the best school in the world that young Joe would grow up hearing. As high school graduation approached, by early 1950, Joe decided he just had to check out Texas A&M College for himself. So, he set out on a very long bus ride from South Texas, one that included changing buses in San Antonio, and then making numerous stops along the way. Joe didn’t arrive in College Station until very late in the evening.

He tried to get a room at the Aggieland Inn but learned there were no vacancies. Weary and exhausted from his travels, the dejected look on his face spurred the front desk clerk to say, “Wait just a moment. Let me make a call.” Ten minutes later a late model sedan pulls up at the Aggieland Inn, and Aggie Veterinary Medicine professor Dr. Hal Redmond and his wife said, “Get in young man. We’d like you to be our houseguest this weekend during your stay in Aggieland.” Those who’ve lived long in College Station or grown up here will recognize the Redmond last name as in the Redmond Terrace part of the city.

That current to future Aggie kindness set into motion a chain of events that would come to impact the lives of so many in the future. Joe was so impressed in A&M and the Corps of Cadets. At that time in 1950, the student body was 50-50 actual Corps members and the other half of what was between 6,000-7,000 students were veterans of World War II who’d returned to complete their academic credentials. Brothers Dale (’57) and Milton (’61) would join A&M for their studies, so Joe recruited his first two Aggies straight out of his childhood home.

Joe became part of Squadron 8 as well as the Fish baseball team. Even though he used much time for academics, he also took time to be a Senior Yell leader. Joe graduated with his DVM degree from the Aggie School of Veterinary Medicine. He completed a one-year internship in Skokie, Illinois before he was commissioned into the USAir Force Veterinary Corps in 1957. A good student, he would go on to the University of Rochester, where he earned his M.S. degree in radiation biology. His first marriage had ended in divorce but he had two children, Katherine and Gary, from that union. His next academic stop would be in Davis, California, where he enrolled to study for his PhD in Comparative Pathology.

It was there at the University of California, Davis, that Joe’s life would change forever. A brilliant man, Joe was dedicated to his studies and was able to manage large class loads each semester. Most of the time, he kept his head down, until one day he didn’t. There at the College of Veterinary Medicine, Joe spotted a lovely and talented microbiologist whose frequent path to the laboratory downstairs to check out ethanol for her research placed her in view sufficiently often to make Joe find out her private lab phone number.

One day that phone rang and there was this Dr. West inviting Miss Carolyn Francis for 10 am coffee; she couldn’t make the 10 am, but she countered suggesting the 3pm break. They agreed. But Carolyn, like all good scientists was mid-experiments and waiting on a centrifuge to complete its work, which put her re-arrival back at the coffee spot at least 10 minutes late, only to find no Joe West there upon her return. Thinking he had been stood up, he had not waited. It was then she learned his motto, “If you’re not early, you’re late!”

In Sacramento, it only took a few dates before the couple knew they were in love. The first night he pulled up outside the home she shared with some girlfriends in Davis, the car pulling into the driveway (spotted by her roommate) signaled that he was definitely not a classic, carefree bachelor. Instead the station wagon had all the markings of previous marriage and “Dad” all over it. But he took his “Carrie” to an operetta in Sacramento and to lovely dinner evenings.

That same semester they began dating in September, Joe proposed to Carrie and they were married at semester’s end. He was simultaneously getting ready for his oral examination to qualify for his doctorate. His major professor was understanding about love at first sight, and allowed Joe to delay his oral exam until returning from his honeymoon.

Joe was in the military and he received orders to leave before finishing his PhD thesis. The couple spent a memorable New Year’s Eve cleaning out his office there so they could report to his assignment in Washington, D.C. Carolyn had always been close to her family in California and he was taking her clear across the country. All veterinarians were in the Veterinary Corps because at that time they were sending dogs to the moon, studying space/radiation effects.  Joe taught radiation biology, his passion, to all the new dentists, doctors, and veterinarians at that time.

All military branches were concerned about the atom bomb and fallout. Joe bravely travelled with the medical Inspector General team and health science officers. He was promoted to Colonel. The West family, now including children, April and Jeremy, traveled the world together thanks to his job. They lived in a high-rise apartment in Germany; Joe took leave every chance to be with the family and see the countries as they should be seen. Other times, he and Carrie would get away together with the children being lovingly looked after by a network of military friends who took turns in their “neighborhood” to be there with and for the children.

While in the Air Force, Colonel West earned many distinctions, including the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Legion of Merit Award. He was also a consultant for the Air Force Surgeon General. He retired from service after a storied 22 years.

Within his chosen profession, Joe was a delegate to the American Veterinary Medical Association, the President of the Texas Academy of Veterinary Practice and ultimately a highly regarded Clinical Pathologist at the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory.

Additional accolades include him being chosen as a Distinguished Alumnus of Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2001, and he received the Association of Former Students and TAMU Distinguished Alumnus in 2011.

In retirement, he’s served as the Past President of the TAMU Yell Leaders Association and as a Faculty Advisor to the Corps of Cadets (later elected to the Aggie Corps of Honor) and was the Speaker at the 2001 Aggie Muster ceremony in College Station. Another highlight was Joe and Carolyn were given the honor of looking after Miss Reveille V at their home after her retirement until her passing. She had once been queen of Aggieland but in College Station she was one of five beloved animal members of the West family; Joe retired from the Texas A&M System after 18 years.

Carrie and Joe enjoyed 52 loving years of marriage. They were an active part of A&M United Methodist church. They loved interacting with the College Student Class and served as mentors there for many years. One year a senior pastor who was also an Aggie, asked Joe to come up in front of the congregation and lead them in some Aggie yells; ever the Aggie—Joe complied.

Joe is survived by his wife, Carolyn, of College Station; brothers Dale West (Grace), and Milton R. West (Mary Ane); sister, Mary Lee West-Manuel (Charlie); sons, Gary M. West (Regina) and Jeremy West, and grandchildren Marshall Rosales, Matthew West (Aeryn) and Jared West (Ashley); daughters, Katherine Sciantarelli and April West; and nieces and nephews: Joel West, Lisa Garner, Tami Currie, Sherry Gonzalez, Ken West, Tim West, and Cristyn Park.

Daughter April said of Joe, that people would always come up to her and say, “Your dad is so nice, genuine, sweet,” and she would reply, “He really is that way all the time.” Her beloved father was often heard to say, “God bless and Gig ‘em” as well as “Keep the Faith.”

Joe himself said, “Being in the Corps as well as in a different academic major, I had to rely on the ‘man upstairs’ well beyond myself, so that has served me well. And the Aggie Code of Honor, I would say that has been one of the greatest things in my life, and I would recommend that it would serve everyone well in their personal and professional lives.”

A Memorial Service is set for 3PM Saturday, August 8, 2020 at A&M United Methodist Church, with Rev. Preston Greenwaldt presiding. Express condolences at CallawayJones.com.

 

Condolences

  1. Carrie, I want to express my deepest condolences to you and your family during this painful time. We were blessed to come to know you and Joe in our church and in the garden club. I am so saddened at this news. Please let me know if I can ever help you with anything.
    God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46
    Yours in Christ,
    Karen and Dale Cope

    • I am so sorry to hear about Dr. West’s passing. I got the honor of meeting and interviewing him for the Corps Hall of Honor award in 2014 and have hardly met a kinder, more gentle man in my lifetime.

      His devotion to his wife, his family, his parents, his God, Texas A&M, the Corps of Cadets and veterinary medicine was truly inspiring.

      Every time I would see him out or at church he was always smiling, kind and greeted me by name and hand and just a warm, wonderful person.

      He will be very missed.

  2. Joe is an Aggie’s Aggie, a Yell Leader’s Yell Leader and one of the proudest, most dedicated men I’ve ever known. He always had a broad smile and wanted to know, “What can I do to help?” If it was for Texas A&M or to help an Aggie, he was first in line.

    To be able to say Joe West is my friend makes me proud and humble.

    Gig ‘Em, Joe. See you on The Last Corps Trip.
    Jerry Cooper ’63
    Editor – The Texas Aggie magazine 1971-2002

  3. I had the privilege of serving on the speaker subcommittee for Muster the year Dr. West was chosen as the campus speaker. His leadership, kindness, and dedication to Texas A&M left a lasting impression on me. He will be missed.

  4. We loved Joe and I looked forward to seeing him especially when he brought Miss Reveille by to see us- always that smile and a fun story about the latest sweet thing they did. He never seemed to be in a rush and always had great things to say about everyone! I will miss his sweet smile.

  5. Carrie and Family ~

    Last night I found out about Joe’s passing l, and I am very sorry and sad for you and the family.
    We will surely keep you in our prayers. Lelve absolutely adored Joe from the minute they met.
    Joe was truly a southern gentleman and always had a big smile. He was positive and always had something nice to say about others. I was just thinking and wondering about you two recently and intended to try to call. I did not realize you had moved to Dallas. I still grieve Lelve’s death and miss him every day. I recently broke my hip. I had a knee replacement on December 17th and finished therapy on Friday–broke my hip on Monday. As Lelve always said, “Getting old ain’t for sissies.” He was SO right.

  6. DEAR CARRIE AND FAMILY, HAVING KNOWN JOE WHILE IN SCHOOL AND AFTERWARD IN MANY AREAS OF AGGIE LIFE, I HAVE THE UTMOST RESPECT FOR HIM AS A MAN, FATHER, DVM, AND GREAT AGGIE. MAY HIS MEMORY BURN BRIGHT AS AN EXAMPLE OF LIFE DONE RIGHT, GOD BLESS,

  7. Carrie and family,
    Please accept my condolences. Joe was an outstanding Aggie gentleman and taught me a bit of serology.
    So sorry.

  8. Many of my fondest memories of my active duty years involve him. He was a friend and a true gentleman. Rest in Peace my brother, yiur duty in done.

  9. Carrie,

    I was heartbroken to hear the news. While it has been a decade since I’ve seen Joe, he is nothing but a bright spot in my mind. As a freshman in high school in 2008, we had a project where we had to interview an individual about each decade from the 50’s until 2000’s. You and Joe invited me into your house to discuss the 50s, I remember asking sheepishly about the campaign phrase “I Like Ike” and Joe bringing to life his late college days and early career.

    I’m sorry for your loss – he was a wonderful man.
    Caleb

  10. We will all miss Joe’s contagious smile, love of people, and enthusiasm! He was one of a kind!

  11. Dear Carrie and family,
    It was my fortune to work with Joe for 18 year at the TX Vet Med Diagnostic Lab at A&M. It is an overstatement to say that it was difficult to hire him. He was excited to come back home to his beloved Alma Mater after his long and distinguished military career. Joe was a class act, a true professional, a perfectionist when it came to his work in clinical pathology and always loyal to his friends and A&M.. He made sure that I became an honorable Aggie, my greatest honor during my A&M tenure. He was a kind and empathic man with a broad and contagious smile. I am proud to be able to call Joe my friend. My you rest in peace.
    With our deepest condolences,
    Konrad and Kathe

  12. I first met Joe when I worked at TVMDL in 1993. As with countless other lives, he made a huge lasting impact on mine. He exemplified the value of selfless sacrifice of one’s time to volunteer for the benefit of the individual, the community, the University and the profession of veterinary medicine. Joe steered me to be an Academic Advisor for the Corps of Cadets, one of the most gratifying experiences in my entire career. Joe was the ultimate gracious gentleman, with a positive uplifting inextinguishable spirit. He looked for the best in others. I will always remember him as a great mentor, and I will sure miss him. He made me a better person. The Aggie Field of Honor is a fitting resting place for Joe. We need more people in the world like Dr. Joe West.

  13. Dear Carrie & family,
    We were so very sorry to learn about Joe’s passing!
    You two were both such wonderful longtime neighbors!
    Just know that you & all the family are in our most sincere thoughts & prayers!
    Love, Bonnie & Harry Andersson

  14. What a fine man! Enjoyed our time in Sunday School together. Dr. West always made me feel special when he referred to the positive impact made on him by his Ag teachers, or as he put it ‘his Ag Profs in high school.’ So sorry for his passing.

    Kirk C. Edney ’75

  15. It is with a great deal of sympathy that we send our condolences out to
    Dr. Joe’s family. Joe was one of the kindest, most sympathetic gentlemen
    that we have ever had the pleasure of knowing. May all of his family be
    Blessed and may we all continue to carry on the empathy with which Joe
    treated everyone. We surely enjoyed knowing Joe through all of the Lion’s
    Club years and had the pleasure of learning from him. Blessings on all of you. We send our deepest Blessings to the entire family. Bea & Ed Uvacek

  16. Carrie, You and Joe were one of the very first couples I met when I moved to CS in 1984 as I found myself in the adult couples class at A&M UMC. Over more than 52 years, I’m sure you occasionally caught him without a smile but I certainly never did. He truly was always, always, always smiling and absolutely one of the kindest and most genuine men I ever knew.

    And then in recent years, I got to see Joe almost every Monday at College Station Noon Lions. Matter of fact, the last time I saw him, I got to have some fun with him as I “sold” him back his cap that he’d left at the previous meeting…. Yep, laughs and more smiles….

    Such an honor to know you both. God has a wonderful new hand.

  17. Carrie, Joe was a classmate, neighbor, and close friend. We shared many memories at the Class ’54 luncheons over the last several years. He was a genuine kind and respectful person to everyone, and we will miss him sorely. I tried many times to get Joe and you to join us living with “The Langford” family and would still welcome you if you ever desire. John & Sandy Matush

  18. Dear Carrie and Family,
    You are in my thoughts and prayers in your time of loss What a dear, true Christian Gentleman. His life leaves such a beautiful witness to others. I will deeply miss his smiling greetings and encouraging words at A & M UMC.
    May God comfort you and give you peace,
    Elaine R

  19. Dear Carrie and family,
    My condolences to you and your family over the death of Joe. He was a very special man and appreciated by all of his friends. It is comforting to know that he is in the arms of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
    Love,
    Lee

  20. I am so saddened that I can’t attend Joe‘s service. I fully planned on being there to honor this amazing man and family. Unfortunately, my knee replacement surgery changed those plans. .
    We have all had so many good times together making all those chicken roll ups and other Yell Leader functions.
    So many wonderful memories that Bill and I will always treasure.
    Heaven has a special Angel who is busy teaching others to say HOWDY. Please know, Carrie, you and your family are in our hearts and prayers. Our love, Marilyn and Bill Youngkin’69

  21. A friend sent me the Obituary for Dr. West. When I was about 6 years old, my parents, Dr. and Mrs. Harold Redmond, extended weekend hospitality to the teenage Joe West during his first visit to Texas A&M. I was very touched by the story of his first visit-a visit that allowed my parents to assist him. How wonderful to be sent this incredible life story of the amazing Dr. West. I was not able to attend his service Saturday. The Obituary reminded me of all I miss about growing up in College Station. So glad the manager of the Aggieland Inn called my parents on Joe’s behalf. Aggies help Aggies. Rosemary Redmond, Ennis, Texas

  22. Just now heard of Joe Earl’s passing. I grew up across the street from the Wests in Cotulla. I was a lot younger than they but, I have happy memories of the West boys throwing long, high, hard and fast passes of an old, leather football for me to catch. My arms would be red and sore with each catch becoming more painful. Of course, when they asked if that hurt, I’d say “no” wanting to be as tough as they were. I couldn’t have hoped for better heroes and neighbors to look up to.

  23. West Family,
    So sad to hear of Dr. West passing. I had the privilege of working for
    Dr. West in the clinical pathology lab for 3 years while my husband attended vet school. You all will be in our thoughts and prayers.
    Kristie Richards

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