MSG Michael Paul West, 44, of Nampa passed away Wednesday, April 22, 2020 at his home after a five year battle with melanoma. Mike was born June 19, 1975 in Ogden, Utah to Tonya Kimber and Leonard Paul West. He had two siblings Natalie and Tony. He was raised in Roy and Tooele, Utah and graduated from high school in Roy in 1993. After high school Mike enlisted in the military, and served our country, in the Army and Army National Guard for over 26 years. He served as a medical equipment technician, a supply sergeant, electronics technician and supervisor. While serving he took opportunities to learn and get as much schooling as he could. He loved to learn and it seemed as though he would "study for fun"! He received many achievement awards during his service including the Expert Field Medical Badge and the Air Assault Badge. But if truth be told, his greatest achievement was finding the girl of his dreams, who was also serving our country in the Army. Julie's first impression of him was that he was "Super Cute!" When they were introduced and found that they had the same kind of values and goals a wonderful and eternal relationship began to blossom. They met in March of 1996 and were married, August 10, that same year, in the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. They were married over 23 years. Over those years they lived in several places with their military transfers including: Aurora, CO, Clearfield, UT, Lakewood, WA, Ft Lewis, WA, San Antonio, TX, Roy, UT, Grangeville, ID and Nampa, ID. They had four children that brought them much joy and happiness. Mike was medically retired with an honorable discharge in June of 2018 in the middle of his cancer battle. Mike served in other capacities outside his military service. He spent 10 years serving and mentoring young men in the Boy Scouts of America. He also served in his church in many different areas including: Sunday School teacher, Primary teacher, Elders Quorum Presidency and a Young Men's leader. At his passing he was serving in the Elder's Quorum. He always led with a great big smile and much positivity! He loved RC cars, hunting, fishing, sports and camping. He was a great handyman, fixing and repairing things to make them better. He loved playing with his children and adored his grandchild. Julie wrote of her sweetheart: "Mike always loved to make people laugh, He was cracking jokes all the way up to the end. Even when the cancer led to his complete blindness, he was able to laugh at himself as he learned how to adapt. His attitude was always positive and he stood behind his belief that God is in control and that if this was in God's plan for him then it had to be the best plan ever! He had a very strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ that included the plan of salvation where all will be resurrected and families will be together forever." Mike was preceded in death by his father Leonard Paul West. He is survived by his wife Julie Ann (Schmidt) West; his children: Joey, Sam (Brooke), Maddie and Stew; his grandson Roman; mother Tonya; and siblings Natalie (Bryan) and Tony. A viewing will be held from 6:00 to 7:30 PM, Tuesday, April 28, at Zeyer Funeral Chapel, 83 N Midland Blvd in Nampa. Due to the COVID-19 outbreak and, by request of the Church and Government only one person may enter the viewing room at a time and there will be no congregating in the lobby or other space in the funeral chapel. A celebration of life and ceremony will be held at a later date. Condolences may be expressed at ZeyerFuneralChapel.com. 208-467-7300
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