Christopher A. West

Christopher Aaron West, 41, of Lago Vista, TX passed away on April 14, 2023. As an Army veteran who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Chris struggled with PTSD. He was actively seeking help to heal his wounds but ultimately lost his life to this disease.

Chris was born March 26, 1982 in Longview, TX. At 18 months, he went to live in with his Aunt and Uncle, Sally and Morris West, in Harker Heights, TX. Sally and Morris opened their hearts to Chris and he always knew them as Mom and Dad. When Chris was 3, the family moved to the Austin area and Austin became his home.

A natural entrepreneur, Chris started his first business at age 11, when he began mowing yards in his neighborhood. He loved nature and continued to landscape throughout his life. Later, in 2004 (during the aftermath of 9/11), Chris enlisted in the United States Army and was deployed in Iraq for 15 months during the height of the conflict. After his discharge from the Army, Chris returned home as a decorated soldier and began the next chapters of his life: starting a family, continuing his education, and owning several businesses, most notably the party rental business, Operation Jump. Chris was working in Parks and Recreation for the City of Lago Vista at the time of his death.

Chris was a kind person and always went out of his way to help others. He loved his family and was a proud father who was patient and gentle with his two children. He was always teaching, playing, going on adventures, or watching movies with Luke and Kimber; he strived to be the best dad. Chris was a naturally talented person who had the ability to succeed with any new activity he picked up. Chris was an avid billiards player and spent many, many hours around a pool table during his lifetime. Chris was also an excellent artist, though he didn’t often share his work. Chris loved the outdoors, his dogs, playing cards or any kind of board game, classic rock and country music, and was happiest during a good thunderstorm.

Chris was preceded in death by his parents, Sally and Morris West, and several dear friends. He is survived by his former wife of 15 years, Shannon West, and their two children Luke and Kimber West (Liberty Hill, TX). He is also survived by his sisters, Deborah West (Bedford, TX), Jenifer Coleman (St. Louis, MO), and brother, Johnny (Janet) West (Lago Vista, TX).

Chris’s life will be celebrated on Saturday, May 13, 2023 at 11:00 AM, at Northlake Church, 3610 Lohman Ford Road, Lago Vista, TX 78645. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), a non-profit organization which offers assistance to those suffering a military loss.