Cortez Bernard West Sr., 54, of Cedar Rapids, formerly of Kansas City, Missouri, passed away on Saturday, February 18, 2023, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, March 3, 2023, at Brosh Chapel and The Avacentre in Cedar Rapids, located at 2121 Bowling Street SW. Homegoing Services will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, March 4, 2023, at New Life Outreach Worship Center, located at 3300 42 ^nd Street NE. Burial will be in Czech National Cemetery.

Cortez was born on September 25, 1968, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Willie West and Lenora (Johnson) West. As a child, Cortez loved to play football and was in boy scouts. He was raised in a Baptist church in Kansas City, where he was a junior deacon. Cortez moved to Cedar Rapids, Iowa in his early 20s, where he spent the rest of his life. Cortez married Michelle (Dyke) West on November 4, 2006, in Cedar Rapids. Cortez touched many lives with that big, bright smile of his. He loved everyone who loved him. He loved to go fishing, camping, play darts, throw BBQs in the summer, and hang out in his man cave. Everybody that knew him, knew him as a DIE-HARD Kansas City Chief's Fan. His biggest joys were hanging out with his kids and grandsons. Cortez was a loving husband, father, grandfather, son, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend.

Cortez is survived by his children Lenora West, Teshinna West, Kiara West-Doyle, Cortez West, Jr., Courtnee West, Sierra Rooney, LaKeisha Jolley; grandsons Travonte Hughes, Jr., Drae'Syn West, Drayden Brown, Lazarion Vaughn, Kenden Freeman, Rhameir Sims; father Willie West; Mother Lenora (Johnson) West; sister Ylonda West and a host of nephews, nieces, other family members, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife Michelle West and his sister Regina West.

Memorials may be directed to the family.