March 1, 1918 - Jan. 2, 2015
Colonel Fraser E. West was born March 1, 1918 in Washington D.C. Fortunately for Fraser, he became a Westerner when he was 8 years old when his mother came to Reno to obtain a divorce. She then married Dr. C. W. “Bill” West, who was beloved by his stepson, and he later adopted Fraser.
Fraser was educated in Reno’s public schools. He had a principal appointment to West Point in 1936 but turned it down to study agriculture, and he graduated from the University of Nevada Reno in 1940 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture, majoring in Animal Husbandry, now titled Animal Science.
He was a lifelong skier, formerly class “A” in four events and was a member of the 1939 National Alpine Championship Team at the University of Nevada Reno. He won many awards and honors, one of which is the recipient of the US Ski Association highest award, the “Julius Blegen” for his skilled participation in four Winter Olympic Games and numerous FIS World Cup events. He is also the eighth recipient (ever) of the Daughters of the American Revolution Life Achievement award for leadership, patriotism and service.
Fraser enlisted in the Marine Corps in October of 1940 as the first Nevadan in the 1st Marine Officer Candidate Class and commissioned as a 2nd Lt. in February 1941, later receiving a regular officer commission. He was a WWII veteran of Guadalcanal, Bougainville and Guam. In Guam, he was severely wounded by machine gun bullets in his left femur after an extended three-day battle. After Guam, he was awarded the Silver Star medal for valor and the Purple Heart. After lengthy hospitalization and limited duty, he regained full duty status. After varied troop and staff duties all over the world, he retired in June of 1964.
In civilian life, he had a horse trailer manufacturing business and a ranching career. He began raising registered Texas Longhorn cattle in 1973. The Westhaven Longhorn Ranch is known for many Grand Champions, and as a result, ranchers from all over the West and Texas have traveled to California make Westhaven cattle part of their herd. For 43 years, Fraser was a valued Judge and contributor for the preservation and improvement of the Texas Longhorn breed.
Fraser is a Military World Team Roping champion, and participated in calf and team roping from the ages of 12 to 92 - eighty years of competition in all. He designed and built four rodeo arenas still in use today. He co-founded the Ione Valley Land, Air & Water Defense Alliance (Ione Valley LAWDA) to provide a voice for all the ranchers, farmers and citizens in Ione Valley and City of Ione for a clean environment and agricultural future.
He continued to raise cattle and grew walnuts at his Ione Ranch until quietly passing away surrounded by family at the age of 96. He is survived by his wife Teddy, their four children: Tina, Bill and Caryn West, Sondra West-Moore, and his grandchildren Alison Sudol, Anna Leia and Iain West and step-grandchildren James Moore and Christine “Kit” Stuber.
A celebration of life was held at the American Legion Hall in Sutter Creek, Calif. on Jan. 24.
Contributions may be made to the American Legion Post 108 at P.O. Box 480, Sutter Creek, CA 95685 or to the Ione Valley Land, Air & Water Defense Alliance (www.ionevalleylawda.com) to support his dream to save the Ione Valley.
Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.danerimortuary.com and signing the guest book.