John Lee West
John Lee West (1899-1969) was an Oneida attorney and politician who served as the town’s mayor from 1959 to 1965. He was also an educator, and was the longest-serving superintendent of schools in Scott County’s history, serving from 1933 to 1948 in that capacity.
See Also: Mayors of Oneida
Preceded By: Eugene McDonald • Succeeded By: William N. Proctor
See Also: Scott County School Superintendents
Preceded By: O. Earl Byrd • Succeeded By: A.V. Ellis
Early Life
Born June 15, 1899, John Lee West was the son of Robert West (1864-1906) and Mary Elizabeth Smithers West (1870-1963). He was a lifelong Scott Countian who was originally from Helenwood and later moved to Oneida.
West attended Centre College after high school, then obtained his law degree from the University of Tennessee. He married Elsie Carson (1902-1983), the daughter of John Carson (1853-1921) and Lucy Ann Chitwood (1858-1938).
Professional Life
No stranger to elected politics, West began his professional career as a teacher and then served as superintendent of the Scott County School System from 1933 to 1948.
West also served 10 years as a state senator and was elected district attorney general, as well as mayor of Oneida.
West also served as a city judge in Oneida, and was a charter member of the Oneida Kiwanis Club. He served as a member of the Scott County Hospital Board of Directors.
Scott County School Superintendent
West was elected Scott County School Superintendent in 1933, replacing Earl Byrd. He served in that capacity until 1948, when he was replaced by A.V. Ellis. He remains the longest-serving superintendent of schools in Scott County’s history.
Oneida Mayor
West was elected Oneida mayor in 1959, succeeding Eugene McDonald. He served three terms before leaving office in 1965 and being succeeded by William N. Proctor.
West’s projects as mayor included improvements to the Oneida Water Department’s public water system, the Oneida sewer system, and housing developments.
Death
West fell ill in February 1969. He was hospitalized for about six weeks at Fort Sanders Hospital in Knoxville, and died on April 16, 1969, at the age of 69. A funeral service was held at First Baptist Church of Oneida with Rev. George Buchanan and Rev. Philip Kazee officiating. He was buried at Carson Memorial Cemetery in Oneida.