Raynes West

Raynes T. West Dies; Roswell Native and County Official

Raynes Thorton West, 87, since birth a Roswell resident, soldier, biographer and county official, died March 19 after falling victim to an inoperable brain tumor. He was hospitalized in Albuquerque and Roswell before being confined to the Mission Arch Care Center in his last days.

Mr. West was a veteran of World War II, in which he served with the Armys 32nd Red Arrow Infantry Division during the Philippine campaign. His autobiographical account of the period Random Thoughts and Memorial details the bitter fighting for the Villa Verde Trail that cost the lives of 916 Americans and some 8,900 Japanese. The war ended when he was en route by troopship to Japan in preparation of that countrys invasion, and he landed there peacefully. Sergeant West was awarded the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Medal. He is a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Mr. West was the son of Ryanes Valentine West of Memphis, TX, and Kathleen Inez Thornton of Roswell. His maternal grandparents John Yeoman Thorton and Nellie Leahy Thornton were Roswell and New Mexico pioneers from the days of Billie the Kid, Lincoln County and Fort Stanton. World War I General of the Armies John J Black Jack Pershing was a family friend and often visited Roswell. Raynes West was born in the family homestead at 209 North Pennsylvania on October 11, 1920, but spent his first years in Memphis, before the family pressed by the exigencies of the Depression moved to California in 1933. Mr. West graduated from Long Beach Polytechnic High School in June 1937. He then took a brief turn at apprenticing as a druggist in Indianapolis before returning to Roswell to resume his education.

Trained as an engineer and in the family construction business, Mr. West was to join the Roswell Map and Blueprint Co. after the war, and then the Mann Engineering Co. for 15 years before being elected County Surveyor of Chaves County. That post was followed by that of Engineering Director of the Chaves County Commissioners until his retirement in November 1982. Among his proudest citations was a special award from the New Mexico Society of Professional Engineers.

Mr. West and Blanche Wahline were married on January 27, 1940; she died of Alzheimers disease in 1990. It was 11 years later that Raynes West discovered the computer and the Internet and took up his second coming as a writer and chronicler of family history. He was at his death a dedicated author of journals, creating and self-printing biographies and reminiscences that now number close to 100. His close friendship with Willie and Josephine Chavez of Roswell was the subject of a number vignettes under the title of The Trail of the Amazing Trio. Still another avocation was the design and creation of jewelry that took prizes at the state fair. He was a close friend and benefactor of the Poor Clare Monastery.

Survivors include his stepson, Erick Harcrow of Plano, Texas; his brother, Donald V. West of Alexandria, Virginia a former managing editor of the late Roswell Morning Dispatch, and cousins, Beverly Ragland of Roswell, Thomas Brookshier of Conshohocken of PA and Betty Dale Walker of Wichita Falls, Tx.

Pallbearers will be Willie Chavez, Ned Tandy, William Schnedar, Tom Dunlap, Gene Lawson, and Dr. Don Clark. Honorary Pallbearers will be Richard Bean, Tom Rutledge and Senator Tim Jennings.

A rosary is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Thursday, March 20, 2008 at the Ballard Funeral Chapel. A funeral service is scheduled for 10:00 a.m., Friday, March 21, 2008 at the Ballard Chapel. Fr. Paul Juniet of the St. Peters Catholic Church will officiate. Burial will follow at South Park Cemetery. A graveside military service will be provided by the local Veterans Honor Guard.

Memorial contributions can be made in Raynes name to the St. Peters Catholic Church Good Samatarian Program or the Poor Clairs.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Ballard Funeral Home and Crematory. An online registry can be accessed at www.ballardfuneralhome.com
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Service

Rosary

Ballard Funeral Chapel
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Thursday, March 20, 2008
5:30 p.m.

Funeral Service

Ballard Funeral Chapel
910 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203
Friday, March 21, 2008
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

South Park Cemetery
3101 S. Main St.
Roswell, NM  88203

Memorial Contributions

St. Peters Catholic Church
109 E. Deming
Roswell, NM  88203