Born in Clayton, Oklahoma, West received a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oklahoma in 1952, and was a lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, from 1952 to 1956 (in active service from 1952 to 1954).
He was a member of the Civil Aeronautics Board from 1973 to 1978, serving as acting chairman in 1977.
[2] On January 23, 1994, Judge Wests daughter, Jennifer Lee West, shot her neighbor in the face with a 9mm pistol and later pled guilty before Oklahoma County District Judge Nancy Coats to a lesser charge of assault with a deadly weapon.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on October 31, 1979, and received his commission on November 2, 1979.
He served as Chief Judge from 1993 to 1994, assuming senior status on November 26, 1994.