Thomas Earl "Tommy" West, Jr.

Thomas Earl “Tommy” West, Jr., 44, passed away on January 31, 2022, after a long and hard-fought battle with brain cancer. He was born on July 28, 1977 in Aransas Pass, Texas. Tommy is survived by his loving wife, Sonia Drake; son, Cole Hartman West; father, Thomas Earl West, Sr. and stepmother, Debra; mother, Brenda Etter and stepfather, Bob; and numerous aunts, uncles and cousins. He is preceded in death by his grandparents, Mary Edna and Hartman Herbert West, Sr.; Dorris Marie and Howard Cole; and his uncles, Robert M. West and Hartman Herbert West, Jr.

Tommy graduated from Rio Hondo High School in 1995. He attended Texas A&I University and completed an associate's degree in computer programming from Texas State Technical College. Tommy was a born entrepreneur and owned businesses that related to computer programming and graphic design. In addition to all of his other enterprises, during the last five years of his life, he achieved two of his long-held aspirations. Tommy became a licensed Texas auctioneer, and formed a new business, Wild West Auctions, where he conducted both in-person and on-line auctions in conjunction with an antiques business, Trunk Full of Junk, that he owned with Sonia and their business partner, Donna Burgess.

During this time, he also began performing as a stand-up comic at local and regional comedy clubs where he performed routines that he wrote during his cancer treatment. Tommy loved performing comedy and appreciated the support and friendship of fellow comics and fans. His last performance, which he had to do sitting down, was less than three weeks before his death.

Tommy's hobbies included playing and watching basketball. He started playing basketball in junior high school in Rio Hondo and continued playing until he became ill. His other love was writing. In addition to writing comedy material, he wrote movie scripts.

The West family will receive relatives and friends on Saturday, February 5, 2022, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A graveside service will take place Sunday, February 6, 2022, at 1:00 p.m. at Mont Meta Memorial Park. A benefit comedy show for Tom will be held Friday, February 4, 2022, at 9:00 p.m. at The Spot, 323 West Jackson, Harlingen, Texas.

Honorary pallbearers are Roger Pullin, Dan Hernandez, Mario Espindola, Joe Havoc and Uncle Dan Neskora.

The family wishes to thank all of the doctors and medical professionals at M.D. Anderson for the care they provided to Tommy for the past two years. They also thank Tommy's Aunt Tena and Uncle Dan Neskora for their love, encouragement and support throughout Tommy's cancer treatment and Anna Gomez, who assisted in Tommy's care at home. A special thank you to Tommy's three best friends - Roger, Dan and Mario for their love and never-ending support.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to MD Anderson for brain cancer research. Donations should be sent as follows: In memory of Thomas Earl West, Jr., MD Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 4486, Houston, TX 77210-4486.