Ryan West

Ryan John West, aged 47, passed away peacefully at his home in Lakewood, Colorado on November 15, 2024.

Born on November 5, 1977, in Provo, Utah, Ryan was the youngest son of Lorraine and Layne West, and the fourth son of John Paterson. He graduated from Jordan High School in Sandy, Utah, and earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Phoenix. Ryan proudly served as a member of the U.S. Coast Guard (2002-2004) and the U.S. Navy (2008-2010). While serving with the Coast Guard, Ryan was deployed across the U.S. in response to the 9/11 attacks and Hurricane Katrina. While serving with the Navy, he attended Seattle University School of Law and served a tour in Balad, Iraq. Ryan has since worked with the Department of Veterans Affairs and worked at & volunteered with a number of organizations focused on veterans services, homelessness prevention, and mental health.

Ryan was preceded in death by his parents, Lorraine and Layne West, and his favorite grandmother, Lola Wilcock. He is survived by his brothers, Noel (Eva) Paterson, Jeff (Jill) West, and Matt (Karen) West, as well as numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Ryan’s charisma and ability to talk to anyone, anywhere, at any time was on full display in the many places he lived, including Utah, Washington, Arizona, Colorado, and Iraq. He had deep connections with his beloved dogs, and you would always find a loyal companion by his side. He will forever be remembered.

Ryan will be interred at the Fort Logan National Cemetery in Colorado. We encourage all of those who loved and cared for Ryan to share your personal memories here, and to make a donation in Ryan’s honor to the National Veteran’s Foundation at https://nvf.org/