John West

John LeRoy West passed away peacefully in Los Angeles, California, on June 13, 2026, just days before his 79th birthday. Born on June 18, 1947, in Los Angeles, he was the son of John LeRoy West, Jr. and Margaret Jones West, who predeceased him.

He is survived by his first cousins, Mardonne Jones Stone Neiman of Alberta, Canada, and Edward Thomas Jones of Boston, Massachusetts.

John lived a life defined by intellectual curiosity, professional achievement, faith, and generosity. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering in 1970 and a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering in 1972 from the University of Southern California, an institution he often credited with shaping the course of his life and career.

His distinguished aerospace engineering career spanned more than 50 years. While still a student, he worked as an Engineering Research Assistant at the Air Force Rocket Propulsion Laboratory at Edwards Air Force Base. In 1969, he began a lifelong association with the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California. He also served as a System Engineer at Headquarters Air Force Satellite Control Facility in El Segundo from 1970 to 1973. Returning to JPL, he worked as a System Engineer before becoming Technical Group Leader of the Inner Planets Spacecraft System Design Group, a position he held until his retirement in 2020. His contributions earned recognition in Marquis Who’s Who.

John was a member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and the Corvair Society of America. Colleagues and friends admired his technical expertise, integrity, and thoughtful approach to both engineering and life.

After retirement, he pursued creative and entrepreneurial interests as a writer, producer, and innovator in film and artificial intelligence through JLW Worldwide Productions. He also explored renewable energy. One is an engineering venture, H20, to develop tidal electrical energy. The other is a UF0-themed Airbnb in the Nevada desert near Area 51.

John approached life with determination, curiosity, and purpose. His religious affiliation was with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, combining scientific inquiry with a deep belief in God and a lifelong search for truth.

Friends often described John as “one of a kind.” He will be remembered for his contributions to aerospace exploration, his support of education and innovation, his creative vision, his faith, and his generosity. His legacy endures in the many lives he touched and the opportunities he created for future generations.

John became a generous supporter of USC. He donated at the USC School of Cinematic Arts which provided scholarship support for aspiring science fiction screenwriters. He was a dedicated runner who completed eight marathons. He also made a naming gift to the Trojan Track and Field Invitational: The John L. West Men's 1500m. He kept donating and supporting the development of USC until he retired.