VERNON (BUS) WEST passed away at St. Michael's Health Centre on Wednesday, August 30, 2023, five weeks after his 88th birthday. 

Bus was predeceased by his wife Laura (Quail), parents Olyve (Brunsdale) and Vernon and brothers Glenroy and Bob. He is survived by sisters Kathy Beck and Donna (Al) Tietz, children Denise, Larry (Laurie) and Nancy (Kirk) and five grandchildren, Emma, Annie, Liam, Maeran and Kiera.

Bus was born in Cardston, Alberta, and was raised on the family ranch in Mountain View, Alberta. He graduated from the Ontario Veterinary College in 1960 and married Laura of Guelph, Ontario, that same year. Bus and Laura lived briefly in Lethbridge and then Cardston where Bus worked as a veterinarian before moving to the ranch in 1969 where he enjoyed years of ranching while raising his family. In 1985, Bus began working for Agriculture Canada as an inspector in Lethbridge and later at the Coutts border crossing.

Bus was many things - a husband, father, grandfather, hard-working farmer and rancher, veterinarian, traveller and cancer survivor. Bus was an avid reader, interested in a range of subjects; there was always a pile of books beside his much-used recliner. He was fond of playing cards and he was having an off day if he lost at cribbage. Bus enjoyed curling and golfing - the latter often accompanied by colorful language - and he enjoyed watching sports, particularly his children and grandchildren's games.

Bus was a lifelong traveller and took many trips with the Friendship Force, both with Laura and on his own. Bus liked socializing and enjoyed lunch at the Nord-Bridge Seniors Centre and meeting his friends for coffee. We are grateful to the Nord-Bridge staff who were so friendly towards him and also to those friends in his condo building who watched out for him.

The family wishes to thank the staff at both the Chinook Regional Hospital in Lethbridge and at St. Michael's Health Centre for their care and kindness. We are also grateful to family and friends who visited Bus.

A private family service will be held in Mountain View, Alberta.

If one wishes, donations in Bus' memory can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Canadian Red Cross or to St. Michael's Health Centre in Lethbridge.