John Henry West, Jr.

John Henry West, Jr of New York City, New York, passed away on Tuesday, November 5th 2019. He was born in Harlem hospital in New York City to John Henry West Senior and Estelle Fields on July 6, 1933. Mr. West had a long and accomplished Military career. He enlisted in the United States Airforce in June 1951 shortly before his 18th birthday. He served in combat during the Korean War (1951-1953) and later worked in the Pentagon as a cryptographer. He was honorably discharged from the Air Force on February 8, 1963 and later enlisted into the United States Army National Guard, where he grew in rank to Staff Sergeant and Instructor. During his Military career, John West received multiple decorations, citations, and medals;  the National Defense Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal to name a few. Staff Sergeant West was honorably discharged from the United States Army on 31 October 1982. Also in 1982, John West was retired from a 20 year career with the New York City Transit Authority. Post retirement, John West took a year long excursion traveling  across the United States, and volunteered at the Greenbelt National Park as a Camp host in Greenbelt, Maryland. John West is survived by his ex-wife, Starr Taylor, his son John Henry West III, daughter Venetia West Freeny, son in-law John Freeny, daughter Schanda Rene West and 6 grandchildren: Parrish Solis, Derrick “DJ” Davis Jr, Zoe Schan Davis, Immanuel Solis, Trinity Isabella Solis, and Reign Sophia Solis.