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Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72
West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
Jimmy West, center, celebrating his 40-year anniversary with the Leading Jewelers Guild during one of the organization’s membership meeting and vendor shows. West died last week at 72.
Culver City, Calif.—Jimmy West, the “glue” that held the Leading Jewelers Guild (LJG) family together for more than four decades, died last week.
He was 72.
Born Aug. 28, 1953, West worked as a radio station disc jockey and program director for two different stations and as a paper engineer for a company that made children’s pop-up books before joining LJG, as per his LinkedIn profile.
In August 1979, he started at LJG, a cooperative of independent jewelers founded in 1958.
West’s first job was in the art department where he worked on the organization’s mailers.
Longtime LJG member Nate Morgan of Morgan’s Jewelers in Salt Lake City, Utah, said that as people retired or moved on, West took on more responsibilities, eventually rising to the role of executive director.
“As Jimmy became the director, he kept all the responsibilities under his thumb and always made things run smoothly,” Morgan said in a statement shared by LJG.
“What a great person Jimmy was, and I am proud to say we were friends. RIP.”
LJG said West’s dedication, wisdom, and steady presence helped shape the organization.
He also helped secure its future via his “tireless” commitment to its succession plan.
“That transition was not without its challenges, but Jimmy was always there—steady, patient, and generous with his time and knowledge,” the organization said. “Without him, it simply wouldn’t have happened.”
West retired in 2023 after 44 years with LJG and was celebrated with a dinner organized in his honor.
Following his passing, the organization is asking anyone with memories of, stories about, or photos of West to send them to Director of Operations Allison Jacobi at allison@leadingjewelersguild.net.
“We hope he knew, truly knew, how much he meant to every one of us,” LJG said.
“Jimmy, you will be deeply and forever missed, we know that you are reunited with your dear Barbara.”
He was 72.
Born Aug. 28, 1953, West worked as a radio station disc jockey and program director for two different stations and as a paper engineer for a company that made children’s pop-up books before joining LJG, as per his LinkedIn profile.
In August 1979, he started at LJG, a cooperative of independent jewelers founded in 1958.
West’s first job was in the art department where he worked on the organization’s mailers.
Longtime LJG member Nate Morgan of Morgan’s Jewelers in Salt Lake City, Utah, said that as people retired or moved on, West took on more responsibilities, eventually rising to the role of executive director.
“As Jimmy became the director, he kept all the responsibilities under his thumb and always made things run smoothly,” Morgan said in a statement shared by LJG.
“What a great person Jimmy was, and I am proud to say we were friends. RIP.”
LJG said West’s dedication, wisdom, and steady presence helped shape the organization.
He also helped secure its future via his “tireless” commitment to its succession plan.
“That transition was not without its challenges, but Jimmy was always there—steady, patient, and generous with his time and knowledge,” the organization said. “Without him, it simply wouldn’t have happened.”
West retired in 2023 after 44 years with LJG and was celebrated with a dinner organized in his honor.
Following his passing, the organization is asking anyone with memories of, stories about, or photos of West to send them to Director of Operations Allison Jacobi at allison@leadingjewelersguild.net.
“We hope he knew, truly knew, how much he meant to every one of us,” LJG said.
“Jimmy, you will be deeply and forever missed, we know that you are reunited with your dear Barbara.”
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