It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved James Norris West on August 15, 2026.

James was many things throughout his life, but the roles he treasured most were husband, father, and Pop. His family was the center of his world, and nothing brought him greater happiness than being surrounded by the people he loved.

James was born on March 26, 1947, in Nashville, Tennessee, to Johnnie and Thomas West. He was educated in Nashville Catholic schools and attended Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance. While at MTSU, he was a member of Kappa Alpha Fraternity.

Upon graduation, James accepted a position with The JCPenney Company and began his management training at the company's corporate headquarters in New York City. During a 35-year career with JCPenney, he held numerous leadership positions in Human Resources, Operations, General Merchandising, and Senior Store Management. His career took James and Suzanne to five different states before they eventually returned to Pensacola in retirement.

James had an extraordinary curiosity about how things worked and a remarkable ability to fix just about anything. To his family, there seemed to be nothing he could not repair, build, improve, plant, cook, or figure out.

An avid gardener, James earned the designation of Master Gardener through the University of Florida. He was a member of the Pensacola Camellia Club and the Camellia Club of Brookhaven, Mississippi, at which he served as President. Much of his free time was spent in his yard, grooming, planting, tinkering, and always finding one more project that needed his attention.

He loved cooking, sailing, sunsets at Paradise Inn and spending time at Pensacola Beach and Gulf Shores. He loved his travels and long talks with his daughter Dawn and later in life, he took up golf and especially enjoyed outings with his son Aaron and grandson Graham.

James also loved traditions, particularly the simple ones he shared individually with his grandchildren. There were sushi dates with Mary Elizabeth, making homemade pralines with Olivia each Christmas, Fort Pickens camping with Connor, fishing with Ben, and golfing with Graham. These moments were never small to James. They were among the things that made life meaningful.

He was immensely proud of his children and grandchildren, their wisdom, their accomplishments, and, most importantly, the people they became. He enjoyed cheering on Florida State, Mississippi State, the University of South Florida, and the University of West Florida football teams, loyalties that reflected the people he loved.

James was a longtime member of St. Paul Catholic Church in Pensacola, where he and his family were parishioners for more than 48 years. His Catholic faith remained an important part of his life. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus in both Brookhaven, Mississippi, and Pensacola.

James was preceded in death by his precious daughter, Jennifer Vaughn West; his parents, Johnnie and Thomas West; his sister, Mary Thomas Bryant; and his brothers, Ronald West and Bill West.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 58 years, Suzanne Vaughn West; his children, Dawn and son-in-law Chuck Hotchkiss, Gulf Breeze FL and Aaron and daughter-in-law Suzie West, Pensacola, FL; and his grandchildren, Ben Hotchkiss, Olivia West, Connor Hotchkiss, Mary Elizabeth Hotchkiss, and Graham West, all of whom were his pride and joy.

He is also survived by his sister, Margaret Ann Martin of Nashville, Tennessee; his sister-in-law, Rita West of Nashville, Tennessee; and many members of the large West and Vaughn families. James treasured these extended family relationships, and they brought him great joy throughout his life.

James leaves behind far more than the things he accomplished. He leaves a family shaped by his love, strengthened by his example, and filled with memories of a husband, father, Pop, brother, uncle, and friend who was always there when he was needed. His lessons, traditions, humor, talents, and love will remain part of his family for generations.

His legacy will be carried in all of us forever.

A Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 27, 2026, at St. Paul Catholic Church, 3131 Hyde Park Road, Pensacola, Florida 32503. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. in the church vestibule, prior to the Mass.

The Mass will be concelebrated by Bishop Martin Holley, Father Craig Smith, and Father Thomas Koyickal.

A private family burial will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial gifts be made in James’ memory to two programs that were especially meaningful to him, Nonie’s Place and My Wish. These programs reflect James’ love of family, compassion for others, and belief in bringing comfort and joy to those who need it most.

Memorial gifts may be made online at www.NoniesPlace.org/make-a-gift-2/ or www.MyWish.org/donate/ or mailed to 1901 N. Palafox Street, Pensacola, FL 32501.

“It Is Well With My Soul”