The West Family smiles with the memorial garden dedicated to Barbara West on Thursday after the dedication ceremony at the Horse Arena at Johnson County Fairgrounds.
Ashlyn Myers | Daily Journal
Barbara West always loved horses and children.
She combined those loves and spent 33 years of her lifetime as a 4-H leader for the Hoofprints 4-H club.
Up until her passing on Oct. 19, Barbara West and her husband, Art West, practically lived and breathed the Johnson County and Agricultural Fair. Their daughter, Julie West, said they both loved spending time at the fair most of all.
After developing health issues in 2022, Barbara kept volunteering her time to 4-H. Even dealing with the pain of her hernia, she continued working at the fairgrounds.
“My mom and dad are so, so dedicated,” Julie West said.
“Even now, my dad practically lives here during the fair. He’s up at six o’clock in the morning and doesn’t leave here until 11 o’clock at night.”
Julie West and her sister, Jennifer West Kean, both said their dad continues to work at the fairgrounds to keep busy. He’s the type that can’t just sit around, they said.
Their love sparked because of animals, so it makes sense that he’d stay close to the barn, though Barbara has passed away.
“They actually met each other through horses, and they would’ve been married 60 years in August,” Julie West said.
Keeping Barbara’s memory alive, Johnson County Fair Board member Becky Dixon brought up the idea to create a memorial garden. Because along with her love for horses and children, Barbara was also known for her love of flowers.
Knowing this, she thought it was only fitting to plant a flower garden outside the Horse Arena. 4-Hers and their families came out to the shelter house to hear a little bit about Barbara’s legacy and watch her memorial plaque get placed in the garden’s gravel.
Now at the Horse Arena, people can see pops of red and pink, young trees and a bench to sit down and relax.
“Around the Horse Arena there weren’t ever any trees and it gets hot. It’s nice to have these memorial trees and places to sit,” Julie West said. “It’s a good way to remember people who have put in their time here.”
