Mark West

Mark Randall West, 68, of Hot Springs, AR went to be with Jesus for eternity on November 18,2024. Born on September 27, 1956 to Raymond and Betty West, Mark was a country boy from childhood as an Eagle Scout to raising cattle his last few days here at his temporary earthly home.

Known as Daddy, he was a hardworking man who taught life skills from what God’s word says, to how to change a tire. He was always prepared and had anything you needed riding with him in his truck, including toilet paper, tools, and ibuprofen, true to his high valued role as a provider. He had three girls and was intentional about finding ways to bond with them. He taught them how to hunt, ride horses, build things and make repairs. He required them to be involved in all the grunt work that it took to maintain the horses and prepare the deer woods as well as maintenance around the house. He loved nature and would share childhood stories on long horse rides in the oil fields. His children remember him as an encouraging coach and great hype man during their days of horse competitions giving his girls a love of horses that later carried on to his grandchildren.

Known as Pawpaw, he was the behind the scenes provider and encourager for his grandchildren to be able to enjoy the hobby of horses as well. He taught his grandson work ethic as he would pay him to come work for him building fences, barns, and maintenance at his carwash. He supported his granddaughter and experienced so much joy watching her ride at shows. Both grandchildren have shared that they learned so much from him during these projects and hobbies.

Mark was a best friend to his wife, Susan. They shared a passion for ministry and sharing the love of Christ as well as their resources to several outreach programs in Hot Springs. Their desires were not materialistic but experiences. They traveled together, started a farm, and adopted animals over the years. They were opposites in a way and Mark would always joke about how Susan was the sophisticated, classy one and he doesn’t know why she wanted to marry a redneck. Together, they supported each other’s interests well as Mark learned about quilting, art, and music, and Susan learned about herding cows and fishing.

For several years, Mark was devoted to the jail ministry and Gethsemane Outreach in Hot Springs. The goal of Gethsemane Outreach is to provide a safe environment where men are being transformed into a new way of living which helps them overcome their hurts, habits, and hang-ups. Mark lovingly supported the houses with meat from his hunting and his hobby of raising cattle. He was a dedicated mentor for over 10 years CEO Jeff Taylor said, “He’d ask which guy he should take with him and they would always come back seeming ten times better.” He mentored, taught, and prayed with men in recovery. He led many to Christ which was his goal as a vessel for Christ. Mark shared his perspective of doing this work, “Well God talked through a jackass before!” He had the personality to go to places and minister that one may consider to be a challenge.

He loved to talk and share stories as he was a simple, easy man to engage with. He typically had a story for you and loved to share his family history and special items in his study that he treasured. He was not one who his daughters and wife would think was organized. However, he took extreme care of sentimental items, letters, coins, etc. that meant something to him and loved to share the history and story with anyone who would listen. 

He thought of himself as a comedian at times and had another adventure as an author of Redneck Q & A. He posed as Billy Bob Boozer and his daughter Carlen was the editor. The family may have shaken their heads and rolled their eyes at his humor found from the perspective of a redneck type character, but found this project to be entertaining, fun, and good laughs at family gatherings.

May his memory be a blessing to all who knew him and his passions, wisdom, stories, and faith be remembered by his friends and family and be told to the next generation just like he enjoyed telling us of his past generations of special people.

Mark is survived by his devoted wife of 23 years, Susan West, his children Angie Joiner, Carlen West, and Cassie West, grandchildren, Jace and Ava Joiner, siblings Kyle West and Rae Lynn Parrish, and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Gethsemane Outreach 202 Rosemead Street  Hot Springs, Arkansas 71901 or Garland County Jail Ministry.

Arrangements were made and directed by CedarVale Funeral Home inside the Hot Springs Village, Arkansas. Guest may register at cedarvalefuneral.com