James West remembered for open mind, impact on community

Government leaders, community members and family paid tribute Monday to Wake County Commissioner Dr. James West, who passed away earlier this month.

They told stories of his accomplishments, his love, his faith and his service.

Former Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker remembered "a good man who made our city and county a much better place."

"What I admired most about Dr. West was his passion for community," said Raleigh Chief of Police Estella Patterson. "He was deeply concerned for our youth, particularly our young men and women who were struggling to find their way."

Shinica Thomas, the chairwoman of the Wake County Board of Commissioners, called West "an impactful person" and a great mentor who was always "working on his soul."

She and West would talk every Sunday afternoon.

"There are resume virtues and eulogy virtues, and James West was certainly intentional about working on his eulogy virtues. And the byproduct of that was how he built an amazing resume," she said.

West, the first director of the African American Cooperative Extension in North Carolina, was first appointed to the Board of Commissioners in 2010 and had been re-elected through 2024. He served as chairman of the Health and Human Services Committee.

He also served on Raleigh City Council from 1999 until 2010, and he was Mayor Pro Tem from 2003 until 2010.

His daughter remembered him for deep thoughts about how to make a better world, no matter the setting.

"My father was the person at family gatherings you could go and find to talk to if you wanted to hear concepts like American psychologist Abraham Maslow's theory of a hierarchy of needs along with Bible verses mixed into casual conversation," she said.

"Even if it was not originally your idea of holiday fun conversation to contemplate how to solve problems like racism, poverty and attacks on voting rights, you could depend on my father to draw you in, and the next thing you know, you were enjoying having him get to understand your view on these issues, and laughing as he shared one or two of his favorite quotes to support his always-evolving analysis."

She concluded, "As much as he loved to teach, he loved to learn more."