Loman Ashley West

Loman was born to Carolyn Orneas and Lalie Allen West in Roswell, New Mexico. In 1950, when Loman was four years old, Lalie Allen passed away. His mother, with three sons, then married Henry (Hank) Eugene Rutledge. They had four more children while Hank was in the U.S. Army, and then went on to join the U.S. Air Force. While in Madrid, Spain, according to his sister, Lynnelle Giwoff, "Loman really enjoyed playing baseball. He was a pitcher there on the All-Star Baseball Team while in high school." Lynnelle also said, "Loman liked to write! He so enjoyed writing stories and reading to his siblings." Loman's sister, Kay said, "Loman was also a darn good catcher on his baseball team. When we were in Spain the teams were at all the bases around Europe, so we did a lot of traveling to watch Loman and Nicks games. They made league champion! He went into the U.S. Navy when I was 9 and he was 18, so I didnt see much of him after that. But he always tried to stay in touch, a phone call or a Christmas or birthday card. Loman had a lot of people that loved him very much. Even in his hard times the Lord kept him safe. He will be missed. Loman's family moved back to the United States when he was sixteen years old. While in high school, Loman scored an almost perfect score on the National Merit Test. At seventeen, his Mom signed papers for him to be able to enlist in the U.S. Navy. He then proudly served his country by working as a Boatswain's Mate and Corpsman Medic on the U.S.S. Constellation. The Vietnam War broke out while his ship was off the shores of Vietnam. According to his brother Kember Lee Rutledge," Loman was very intelligent and had an eidetic memory, but as a Medic Corpsman Loman saw a lot of death..." As a result, Loman began to struggle with Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome. Loman received the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. Upon returning home to the United States...no one was there to meet Loman.... Kember later said, "That back then, Loman didn't like him because when he returned home from the service, Kember was being born!" All the family was busy welcoming Kember...not Loman! While back in the United States, Loman met Sonja Rae Anderson. They were married in 1966 in Fife, Washington, and soon moved to Rialto, California. Working part-time in Oakland, California, Loman attended the College at Berkeley, now the University of California. They returned to Tacoma in 1967 where Loman attended Tacoma Community College. While at TCC, Loman started writing a poetry column for the college newspaper. According to Sonja, "he also wrote an article in the Tacoma News Tribune entitled 'Free Speech'." She also said, "Loman spoke in front of the Tacoma City Council on the importance of free speech." Later, Loman graduated from the University of Puget Sound majoring in English. Loman was accepted in The Masters Program at The University of Washington. He majored in writing screenplays. During those years Loman was the owner of a trucking company. Loman had three trucks. Things changed for Loman. Loman and Sonja West divorced. He continued with his trucking business. While in Seattle, Loman met Nancy English. They went together for a number of years. While battling side effects of PTSD, he was pressured to have to sell his trucking business. In 2005 Loman met Judi Mann, who was attending ACTS Seminary in Tacoma, Washington. She was a single mother with two adult children. Loman was studying Greek at ACTS Seminary. As the years went on their relationship culminated with an engagement announcement at Christmas time, December 26, 2014. Loman is survived by his dearly devoted fiancee, Judi Mann and her children John Mann and Karen (Troy) Riha and her grandchildren, Elaina Choo, Portia, Brianna, Kaitlyn, and her great-grandson, Liam. Loman's surviving sibblings are: Nick West of Los Cruces, New Mexico; Thelma Lynnelle Giwoff of Ukiah, California; Kay Hudelson of Redding, California; and Kember Rutledge of Port Orchard, Washington and his fiancee, Kala Baskett-Dean along with many beloved nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Deceased Siblings are: Lexie Arleen West (passed away at five months old); Mike West; Andy (Suki) Rutledge; and Chris Rutledge. Best friends were John Mann and Eric Harkey. John and Loman liked sitting outside with a cup of coffee and talking about life's concerns and science. Eric enjoyed calling Loman and talking about sports, especially baseball! Life-long friends are Sally Ivers Drexler and Cleve Ivers (deceased). Sally remembers Loman as an avid sports enthusiast who watched every Mariners, Husky and Seahawks game he could. Loman learned June 26, 2015, that he was battling gall bladder and liver cancer while in The Veteran's Hospital in Seattle, Washington. Loman was cared for at home. In-home Hospice, with Nurse's Aids four to six hours a day, went on for a week. A Hospice opening became available at The Veteran's Hospital at American Lake in Lakewood, Washington. This opening was considered "a miracle!" There he had skilled, devoted RN's, LPN's, and CNA's assisting Loman and giving comfort care. Dr. Allen said, "Loman was a sweet man." Accepting Jesus Christ as his personal Savior on June 26, 2015 and was, again, baptized on July 16, 2015. Loman believed that Jesus needed him now, and that Christ may have SOMETHING in mind for him to do. Loman said, "For all to let him go by our bidding him "GOOD BYE!" Arrangements are with Edwards Memorial Funeral & Cremation Services, 3005 Bridgeport Way West, University Place, Washington; (253)566-1008. Visit the website: www.edwardsmemorial.com to view Loman's obituary and/or to leave your condolences. The Memorial Service to honor Loman West's life will be celebrated with a Military Honors Memorial Service at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 S.E. 240th Street, Kent, WA 98042; (425)413-9614 on September 4 , 2015 @ 1:30 P.M. Please plan to arrive and park by 1:00 P.M. Richard Fierce, Judi's brother in Missouri said, "Loman was very truthful and considerate of others. If he could still talk to us, he would say, 'I am fine!' Help Judi; for I cannot be there for her. That was Loman--always thinking of others!" Richard emphasized, "To all those who have met Loman, YOU are BLESSED!"