Patrick Thomas West

Pat was born August 29, 1952 in Scott City, Kansas the 10th of 19 children of Jack H. and Elizabeth J. “Betty” (Kerkoff) West. He was a graduate of Scott City High School. He received his Masters Plumber License as the youngest in the state at the age of 18.

Pat moved to Dodge City, Kansas and worked for Ross Plumbing and Stewart Plumbing. He met his lifelong soulmate Debra Wetzel. They were united in marriage on August 4, 1973 in Clayton, New Mexico and they celebrated 47 wonderful years of marriage.

Pat was always the quintessential entrepreneur and looking for the next business opportunity. While in Dodge City he started his own plumbing company, Pat West Plumbing and obtained the Roto Rooter Franchise for the area. Other businesses he owned included the Opera House, Opera House 21, Rusty Nail, Smuckos, Putt Putt Golf and a Car Wash/Gas Station.

He also enjoyed flipping properties before it was the “in” thing to do.

In 1983, Pat’s family (Debbie, Audrey & Darren) moved to Vista, California. There he worked for Budget Plumbing until opening his own company, Discount Plumbing & Heating and a vending company called Pat West Sales.

In 1989, the family moved to Oceanside, California. Owning his companies allowed him to spend time with his children, Audrey in softball and Darren in baseball. He loved being able to coach his daughter’s softball teams and even created a traveling team, Elite Softball, that won the Southern California Championship that qualified the team for Nationals in 1992.

Pat earned some fun titles over his years in California. Hog Calling Champion for 3 years in a row at the Del Mar Fair and Mr. Hot Sauce at a chili cook-off. He was a colorful extra on the television shows 18 Wheels of Justice and Manhattan, Arizona.

When Pat retired from plumbing, he found his true passion - JUNK. He and Debbie loved going to garage sales, estate sales, and auctions. What started as a hobby grew into another entrepreneurship, selling their treasure finds on eBay. He was an avid supporter of the United States, especially our military, and he tried to pay it forward every chance he got. In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to go to WoundedWarriorProject.org.

Survivors include his wife, Debra of the home in Oceanside, Ca, daughter, Audrey L. (Anthony J.) Paar of Dhahran, Saudi Arabia and a son, Darren A. West (Genessa Smith) of Garden City, Ks., three grandchildren, Angelina, Simon, and Corbin West of Garden City, Ks., 4 brothers; Arthur J. West (Susie) of El Segundo, Ca., David L. West of Vancouver, Wa., Louis P. West of Garden City, Ks., Terry J. West (Beverly) of Shallow Water, Ks., 9 sisters; Margaret J. Ellison & Elizabeth J. Bradley of Wichita, Ks., Martha Jonagan (Dale) of Ingalls, Ks., Dorotha A. Reynolds of Dodge City, Ks., Ruth J. West of Bakersfield, Ca., Kathryn L. Church (Gary) of Kansas City, Ks., Rebecca S. Morton (Stan) of Lawrence, Ks., Barbara Betzold (Morris) of Hutchinson, Ks., and Virginia L.Leonard (Mitch) of Dodge City, Ks.

Pat was preceded in death by his parents, 3 brothers; Jack West, Mike West, and Gene West and 2 sisters; Mary Wassinger and Carolyn Hinojosa.

Pat loved life to the fullest and was always the jokester. His sarcasm always kept people laughing. He truly touched so many lives and anyone that met him would never forget him.