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J.B. WEST

James Bernard West,
known as 'J. B.'
was the Chief Usher
of the White House,
Washington, D.C.

He held this special
position for a dozen years;
(from 1957-69),
providing services to a
half dozen different
Presidents and their clans.
(He essentially 'ran' the
White House! )
He was employed at the
Executive Mansion from
the Roosevelt Administration
till the Nixon Administration.

He was a well respected
gentleman and became a
beloved employee to all
who called the 132 room
government building / the
Executive Mansion / 'home.'

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J.S. was the SON of:
FATHER - William West
MOTHER - Sarah (McVay) West

He had two siblings:
SISTER - Irene West
of Washingon
SISTER - Genevieve Fleming
of Iowa

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Education - 1930 graduate of:
Creston High School - Iowa

He was HUSBAND to:
WIFE - Zella (Snyder) West

J.B. West was FATHER to:
two children
* DAUGHTER - Sally West
of San Francisco, Calif.
* DAUGHTER -
Mary Kathryn (Kathy) Langhoff
of Anchorage, Alaska

He was GRANDFATHER to:
two children

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West's autobiographical book,
'UPSTAIRS AT THE WHITE HOUSE,
MY LIFE WITH THE FIRST LADIES.'
This unique book presents many
behind the scenes details of life
at the U.S. Executive Mansion.
The publication has been used by
many other authors as the 'inside
source' of many White House happenings,
amusing stories and details about
important WH events.

West began work in the White House
as Assistant to the Chief Usher on
March 1st, 1941.
Earlier, he had moved to the East coast
in 1930, starting out as a mail clerk,
eventually toiling away till he got
a job with the Veterans Administration.

He was promoted to 'Chief Usher,'
when the long serving Mr. Howell
Crim (who had started his White
House employment in 1941,) retired
in 1957.

The WH then offered a crew of
over 100 to maintain and serve
the President and his household.
Mr. West managed several
elaborate 'state dinners' and
many other types of White House
events - from birthday parties to
private meals between the President
and congressmen & congresswomen.

He was an important figure in
assisting with the sudden (unprepared
for) events surrounding the funeral
services, the international reception
for attending heads-of-state as well
as the 'general' mourning of President
John F. Kennedy in the late fall of
1963; without his expert knowledge,
the management of these historic
moments would surely have been far
more difficult if not impossible to
have been held with such grace.

He also asisted with happier
White House occasions, encompassing
the Christmas-time wedding of
Lynda Bird Johnson to Charles Robb.
She was the first daughter of
President Lyndon Johnson. Earlier he
had helped with the reception for
the wedding of Luci Baines Johnson
to Patrick Nugent. She was the younger
daughter of the Johnsons.

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Mister West was a
favorite employee of
many White House families;
He was especially liked by
Jacqueline Kennedy (Onassis)
during her family's tenure
at 1600 Penn. Ave. There is
a special photograph Mrs.
Kennedy Onassis arranged prior
to her moving out of the WH.
On her final day in the residence,
Jackie invited Mr. West pose with
she and John Jr., for a fornal
/ final image. It was intended
as a kindness and a thoughtful
moment of her sincere appreciation
for the many extras he had helped
arrange during their tenure at the
WH.

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J.B. West retired in 1969
from the White House.

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West resided in
Falls Church, Virginia.

He died at the
Northern Virginia Doctors Hospital
of respiratory failure.

Mister West was 70 years old.

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** WORDS OF SYMPATHY **

"While we are mourning the loss
of our friend,
others are rejoicing
to meet him behind the veil"

BY - John Taylor

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This biography is
humbly presented by
Audrey Burtrum-Stanley - Arkansas

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