A Time for All Events in Life; Ecclesiastes 3: 1-2 NET For everything there is an appointed time, and an appropriate time for every activity on earth: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to uproot what was planted ; thus was the life of James Lee "Pops" West.

J ames Lee West, 71 was the third son born May 3, 1950, to the late Ben and Sarah West in Lexington, Kentucky. His childhood, education, and most of his adult life were spent in Lexington learning and living out his life experiences until 1982 when his passion and purpose "Horse Racing" brought him to Hot Springs, AR to work at Oaklawn Rack Track. He had for many years traveled back and forth from Lexington to Hot Springs, to work.  However, there was something about Hot Springs, AR that "Pops" loved and knew that he wanted to make this his home. He spent most of his life working in the Horse Racing Industry. An industry he truly loved. Oaklawn Park was a place he loved because he loved his job and the people he worked with and for. The only other job he worked was Alliance Rubber Company in conjunction with Oaklawn for 10 years.

A special lady and her son had captured his heart. June 25, 1983, he married Betty Reed and they would spend the next Thirty-Eight years together until his sudden death on Sunday, January 16, 2022. They would raise her son Hayes Walton Jr, and granddaughter Federica Hilliard together along with other relatives and people that may have needed their help. Their home was always open to good food, conversation, laughter, family, friends, and football games, especially Dallas Cowboys – Kansas City Chiefs. "Pops" loved to cook his favorite Chili and share with friends as well as he thought of himself as "Grill Master." Youtube had become his newest reference to perfecting his grilling skills. And how proud he was to serve a slab of ribs to Betty.

Pops loved God, Jesus, the Holy Spirit and believed in the power of prayer. He was a member of Historic Eureka Missionary Baptist Church where he had served on the Usher Board and Men's Ministry. He often worked on Sundays, but he did what he could do for the church that most didn't know he did. His heart was that of a giver because of his Love for God and his fellowman. His smile radiated goodness and kindness toward strangers.  He was preceded by his parents, brother, John West, and son Hayes Walton Jr.

Those left to cherish and love his memories; his wife Betty West; his children, Myra Williams, Keith West, Wynola Spearman, James Lindsay all of Lexington, KY; brother, Ben West Jr., Covington, KY; granddaughter, Federica Hilliard, Frisco, TX; nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends.

Graveside Service Saturday, January 22, 2022, 1:00 PM at Crestview Cemetery 3077 East Grand Ave Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901.

You may sign the guest registry is at http://www. carriganmemorial.com .

Arrangements are entrusted to Carrigan Memorial Funeral Services.