Paul Edwin West

Paul West, age 57, of El Paso, TX passed away on December 17^th, 2023, surrounded by his family and close friends. He is survived by his wife, 2 sons and many friends.

Paul grew up in El Paso, TX, where he spent his early school years. He attended High School and 2 years of college in East Texas. In 1989, he moved back to his beloved El Paso, TX. He met his wife Birgit in 1996 and they had two sons, David and Daniel in the early 2000s, whom he dearly loved. Paul volunteered in a Youth outreach program in Northeast El Paso and became an associated pastor in the late 1990s. In the early 2000s, Paul pursued a degree as a Special Education Teacher. In 2007, he graduated from NMSU with a master’s in special education. He taught at an elementary/Intermediate school in Chaparral, NM for 5 years, a job he put all his love and passion into. He was dearly loved by his students.

Paul became disabled due to mental health issues in 2012. Following treatment, he became a strong advocate for educating people about mental health and for removing the stigma associated with Mental Illness.

Paul was passionate about the things he believed in. He was never afraid to speak his mind. He loved fiercely. He enjoyed music, art, writing, reading, esp. about spiritual matters. He had a heart for people on the fringe, for those who don’t fit in or who are struggling. He always rooted for the underdog. He loved his faith community Desert Rain in Chaparral, NM.

Paul faced his mental health and other physical challenges with courage. He was not too proud to get help and he took his meds faithfully.  Early this year he was diagnosed with cancer. He underwent treatment which started out very promising with a prognosis of full recovery but led to complications in November/December. On December 17^th, he entered into eternal rest in the loving arms of his Savior Jesus Christ who he had had a strong faith in since his youth.

His family and his friends will miss him dearly but are grateful that Paul is now at peace and rest, and his body and mind are healed and restored.

A Memorial Service will be held at 6PM on Friday, December 22^nd, 2023, at Blended Nation Fellowship in Chaparral, NM (Address: 498 McCombs, at the corner of McCombs Rd and Luna Azul Rd. Chaparral, NM 88081).

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to one these charities in Paul's name:
Michael J Fox Foundation (Parkinson's research) https://give.michaeljfox.org/give/489725/
Rio Grande Cancer Foundation  https://rgcf.org/details/give/donate