Rodney West

James Rodney West (1939-2015) was an Oneida politician and civic leader who served as the town’s mayor from 1979 to 1980.

See Also: Mayors of Oneida
Preceded By: Robert Carson • Succeeded By: C.L. Strunk

Early Life

Born May 12, 1939, West was the son of Arthur Jennings West (1905-1951) and Mabel King (1913-1994). He married June Wolford and they had three children: Randy, Sandy and Rodney Dale.

Professional Life

West was engaged in a number of political and civic endeavors, both before and after his time as Oneida mayor. He was elected to Scott County Commission and the Scott County Board of Education, and also served as a member of the Scott County Hospital Board of Directors. He served on the Scott County Election Commission, the Scott County Planning Committee, the Scott County Literacy Council, the Scott County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Mountain Valley Head Start Board of Directors, the Mountain Valley E.O.A. Board, the LaFollette Housing Authority, the Office on Aging, and the East Tennessee Development District. He was a president of the Lions Club.

One of West’s earliest endeavors was to lead the effort to establish Little League softball in Scott County.

Mayor of Oneida

West was elected as both an alderman and mayor in Oneida. He was elected mayor in 1979, replacing Robert Carson. He served until the following year, when he resigned and was replaced by C.L. Strunk.

West also served stints as the Oneida city judge, city recorder and grants coordinator, while also serving as a volunteer firefighter and a part-time police officer.