The family of Ivan West regrets his passing on Sunday, March 15, 2009. He died at home surrounded by family after a hard fought battle with spinal cancer. Though he was born in Vernon Parish on August 20, 1927, Ivan resided in Eunice for
the past 60 years, and he was a Cajun in heart and soul.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 2 p.m. at St. Thomas More Church in Eunice. Rite of Committal will follow in the Garden Mausoleum of St.
Paul Cemetery with Father Cedric Sonnier as Celebrant.
Mr. West was a veteran of World War II and was a past commander of American Legion Post 129. He was also a member of the 40 and 8 of the American Legion.
He was very
active in the community as a past president and founder of the Eunice Jaycees, past president of the St. Edmund Booster Club, past president of Eunice Chamber of Commerce, past president and founder of the Eunice Petroleum Club and was listed in the
personalities of the South. He was a member of Masonic Lodge #410-32° Mason, Habibi Temple Shrine Club, the Corinth Mardi Gras Association and a longtime member of the St. Landry Sheriff’s posse.
Ivan had a long, successful career in
the oilfield and was an integral part of its success in the area. From 1951 until 1984 he was president of Harris Well Service, Sladco and Harris Specialty. In 1985, he was district manager of Well Solutions, Inc.
Thoughout these
years, he was a member of the American Petroleum Institute, The National Petroleum Council, served on the Louisiana Oilfield Legislative and was on President Gerald Ford’s Advisory Committee. Ivan was very proud to have been affiliated with the
Association of Oil Well Serving Contractors. He was instrumental in the formation of the South Louisiana AOSC Chapter. He chaired the Public Affairs Committee, First Contract Committee and Publication Committee.
He served on the
safety committee, WOWSAC Committee, Insurance Committee as well as on the committee that wrote the data handbook for the organization. He later served as the Louisiana Chapter Chairman and was on the state board of directors. By 1974, he had served
at the national level as treasurer, vice president and in 1973, was the national president.
Upon retirement from the oil industry, Ivan was involved and instrumental in the formation of the St. Landry Parish Fire Protection District #6
which is one of the largest in the parish.
Ivan is survived by his wife, Andrea; daughter, Christiann and Jesse Stelly of Eunice; daughter Denise Stanco of Lafayette; daughter Llona Arceneaux of Baton Rouge and daughter Kelly and
son-in-law Lance Pitre of Eunice. Ivan was blessed with seven grandchildren who include Rebecca, Matthew, Heide, Alain, Carolann, Camille and Nicolas. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Gladys Meyer of Eunice and two brothers Lee and De Wayne
West of Pitkin.
He was preceded in death by his infant son and daughter, his parents Susie and Lee West, twin brother Avis, brothers Chester, Shirley and Eston and a sister Yvonne.
The family request that visiting hours
be observed on Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at Ardoin’s Funeral Home in Eunice from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m. and again on Thursday, March 19,2009 at 10 a.m. until a brief chapel service at 1 p.m. with Pastor Gary Koopman of Immanuel Lutheran Church in
Jennings to precede the funeral mass at 2 p.m. A rosary will be recited at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening.
Family and friends may view the obituary and sign the guest book online at www.ardoinfuneralhomes.com.
Ardoin’s Funeral Home of Eunice is in charge of arrangements.