Ivan Ralph (Jim) West...

Ivan Ralph (Jim) West entered into rest at his home in Hollister on January 28, 2025 at the age of 94.

Ivan Ralph (Jim) West, Jr., was born on September 2, 1930 in Muscatine, IA.

Jim was the son of Ivan Ralph West, Sr. and Ida M. (Sidler) West. He attended school through the 8th grade. At which time he dropped out of school due to illness. He immediately went to work on the family farm.

From there he moved on to be an operator in the construction business. In 1946 Jim met and married Maxine Beemblossom. During which time they had 6 children. Vickie Lou, Michael Allen, Susan Kay, Earnest Melvin , Daniel Vernon and James Thomas. While raising these children, Jim progressed from laborer to owning his own trucking business. In 1949 he went to work in the quarry business as a shovel operator. Then he undertook numerous management positions in which he was instrumental in opening  3 underground mining operations. In 1984 Jim applied and received numerous patents on instrumentation for use on underground mine drills. During this tenure he started Jimco Products Inc.  After 25 plus years in the quarry business Jim took early retirement.

He moved to Southwest Missouri in 1982 from Gilbert, IA.  Jim served as the president of the drilling supply company (Jimco Products, Inc.) he owned and operated till 2013.

Jim enjoyed the outdoors including bow hunting and fishing.  He was an industrial and creative man, delighting in building  and woodworking .
Jim was preceded in death by his parents Ivan Ralph West Sr. & Ida Mae West; wives, Maxine West, Doris West and Bessie West; brother William West; his son, Michael A. West; and granddaughters, April Violet and Shelly Marie Deal.

Jim is survived  by his loving  family. Children, Vickie Shaffer of Cleveland, OK; Susan Davis (Daryl) of Powersville, MO; Earnest West (Susan) of Weeping Water, NE, Daniel West (Danette) of Branson, MO and James West (Connie) of Corydon, IA; siblings, Wilma Martin of Des Moines, IA and Robert West of Lamax, IL; along with numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Jim will be dearly missed by family and friends.  His spirit, work ethic and devotion to family will live on through his children and  the many lives he had touched in his life.

Rest in peace, Jim, we love you now and forever.

Services for Jim will be on Saturday, February 8, 2025 in Snapp-Bearden Funeral Home & Crematory, Branson.  Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, followed by the funeral service at 1:00 p.m. in the funeral home.  Burial will be in Ozarks Memorial Park Cemetery, Branson.