John Wayland West

John was born on May 12, 1936, in Altos, Oklahoma, to his parents Hershel West and Mattie May Rilie. He was the second of five boys in his family.

When John was 17 years old, he joined the US Marine Corps. Most of his military service was spent in Japan. John always said, "Once a Marine, Always a Marine!"

In the 1970's, he moved to Monterey, California. There he met his first wife. Together they had two children, Brad and Pam. He was also dad to Scott and Jackie from his second marriage.

John retired as a union rep in 1987 and then started a cleaning business. In 2000, he sold the business to his partner and moved to the Philippines, residing in Baguio until 2014. There he met his current wife, Hope. In January 2014, John and Hope moved to the United States. They were married in Fair Oaks, California, and settled in Citrus Heights.

John loved fishing, camping, football and baseball, and spending time with his friends. He had a song in his heart and a smile on his face and could often be heard singing or found dancing.

He was an animal lover and enjoyed spending his spare time with his horse, Peanut; his parrots, Sydney & Cocoa; his dogs, Matt & Brie; and his two cats, Dumb & Shit.

John will be remembered as a charismatic, jolly guy with a huge sense of humor, a loving husband, father and grandpa, and a very special friend to many.