Obituary of John T West

John T. West Sr.  of South Bend passed away on October 9, 2022, surrounded by his family at his daughter’s home while his favorite music played in the background.

John was born to Annie Mae (Fowler) West  on July 24,1940, in Horseshoe Lake, Arkansas.

John was always a talented athlete; excelling in track, basketball, and especially football.  He set and broke records both in high school and college and still holds a running back record at Arkansas State University.  His love of sports continued into his adulthood and he was an avid Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears fan, but if any sport was on, John was tuned in.

John enlisted in the military where he served his country proudly.  Upon being discharged from the military John made his own way in life and was known for his superb skills in carpentry.  There wasn’t too much that John couldn’t look at and figure out how to fix.  He was a man of man skills and if there was ever a self-made man, it was John.

John fell in love with the late Lula Bell Long.  They wed and John fell in love with his “Bell” more and more each year, enjoying over 50 years together before her passing.  A family man all of his life, John loved to bring the families together, holding gatherings at Potawatomi or Rum Village Park  where all could gather and enjoy some of the best barbeque your lips have ever tasted, especially his ribs and tips. 

John took great pride in caring for his family, but not just his children and grandchildren.  John made sure to visit many of his cousins, nephews, and nieces, who were like brothers and sisters to him.  Many times, you never knew when “Uncle John'' was going to pull up.

He is preceded in passing by his parents, his wife Lula Bell West, his children; Jason Thomas West, Mark West Sr., and Dianna Fultz.  He is also preceded by his siblings; Laura McDonald, Inobia “Sweet” Baker, Clark West, James West, Reverend Booker T. West, Arthur West, his granddaughter, Nicole West, great-grandson, Robert Cole, Jr., and his Aunt Evelyn Coppage.

John is survived by his children; Robert Allen Williams, Deborah West, Charlotte Ottbridge, Craig (Kathleen) West, John T. West, Jr., Shannon (Marcus) Jackson all of South Bend and Tomeka Ford of Atlanta Georgia, special daughters Tonjohnique Coppage, Yvette West and their children.  He will also be missed by a host of grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.

Services to honor John and his remarkable life will take place Monday, October 17, 2022 at 12 p.m. with a time of visitation beginning at 11 a.m. at St. Paul Bethel Baptist Church, 621 Lindsey St., South Bend, Indiana 46616 with Pastor Gilbert Washington officiating.  He will be laid to rest next to his beloved “Bell” at Highland Cemetery.

In keeping with John’s passion for his family, he has requested that memorial donations be directed to an education fund for his granddaughter Jakayla Cleveland.  Donations can be made to Brown Funeral Home, 521 East Main Street, Niles, MI  49120.

To honor John’s passion for his family, make time for your loved ones, cook them dinner, or just stop by to visit.