Buddy West Passes Away

Reported by: Stefanie Jay

Wednesday, Jun 25, 2008

"We've lost a great leader. We've lost a great servant." After 16 years of service, the community says goodbye to a beloved West Texas leader. Since 71 year old Buddy West recent collapsed in an Odessa restaurant, his health had been deteriorating. After a stay at medical center hospital, West was moved to hospice house, where he passed away with family and friends nearby. Fellow politicians say his footsteps will be hard to follow. House Speaker Tom Craddick Texas says, "He had something very few members of the legislature have... Besides a great personality, he was very well loved, well liked by everyone." Congressman Mike Conaway says, "He was elected once, re-elected seven times. That says volumes about his commitment and passion for the job." Bill Fannin of UTPB’s Academic Affairs says, "He personally worked tirelessly for UTPB and all of West Texas to help bring higher education. He was a great man. He will be sorely missed by everybody, and by everyone at our university and all of West Texas." West consistently rallied behind education, family values, and small government. He was not only an upstanding politician, but a good friend. Craddick says, "Buddy and I worked, had a lot of fun experiences together. He was just an easy person to get along with, was always there when you needed him." Fannin says, "He always had on a smile. You go to his office in Austin, or meet him on the sidewalk, the street of the neighborhood, he would always be smiling, and interested in how he could help you." The West family says they're touched by the calls and outpouring of support from the community and thank you all for loving him.

Story located at Permian Basin 360 .