Huey West passed away on Sept. 21, 2023 in his home surrounded by his loving family. He was born on Jan. 23, 1948 to Dillard and Evelyn Ardoin West, in Pine Prairie, La.

He attended kindergarten and first grade at Pine Prairie Elementary School, then his family moved to Lake Charles. He finished elementary school at Barbe Elementary School, then went on to graduate from LaGrange High School.

Huey served his country honorably in the United States Army from Mar. 27, 1968 to Jan. 9, 1970. During his time in the service, he earned the National Defense Medal as a Sharpshooter.  Part of his service brought him to Germany where he served for a year. While there, the United States and Russia were on the brink of war. Huey was in a tank waiting at the border for the war to begin when a truce was reached. Huey served as Parts Manager for Shetler Lincoln-Mercury for 30 years.

He was an avid sportsman. He enjoyed duck hunting and fishing with his family. He also raised and trained hunting dogs, and was a proud member of the Lake Charles Hunting and Retriever Club. Three of his favorite dogs were, “Dancer,” “Fire,” and “Hunter.”  Fire and Hunter were his grandsons’ dogs that they helped him train.  He enjoyed spending time at his camp in Grand Chenier. He was a self-made man, a do-it-yourselfer and a jack-of-all-trades. He built the family home.

Mr. West knew no strangers. He was a loving husband, father and grandfather with a big heart. He was loved and admired by everyone who knew him, and he will be dearly missed.

Those left to cherish his memory are, his beloved wife of 50 years, Brenda Thibodeaux West; his daughters, Sabrina LeBlanc (Jamy), Sonia Lockhart (Carl), and Sharla Castillo; his grandchildren, Scott, Shontel, Kaden, Coby, Kelsey, Zeke, Karson, Shelby and Jeremiah; and his great-grandchildren, Braxton, Blakely, Ender and Baker.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters, Gail McGee and Theresa Duplechain.

The family would like to express their heartfelt thanks to Christ the King Catholic Church and the Ladie’s Altar Society, along with all of our sitters, caregivers, and Heart of Hospice, whose compassionate care will be forever remembered, and especially those who faithfully interceded for us in prayer.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023 at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Catholic Church, located at 3939 Lake Street, Lake Charles, La. Msgr. Daniel Torres will serve as Celebrant. Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home. Visitation will begin at the funeral home on Monday evening from 4 p.m. and will continue until 8 p.m., with a Cursillo Rosary being recited at 6 p.m. Visitation will resume on Tuesday morning at 11 a.m. and will continue until leaving in procession to the church at 1:30 p.m.. A second rosary will be recited at 12:30 p.m.