Gary Alan Rushing, 58, of Mauriceville, passed away at his home on January 14, 2009, of brain cancer. He was born to M.L. and the late Opal Rushing on May 30, 1950 in Springhill, Louisiana.
Gary graduated from Sulphur High School in Sulphur, Louisiana in 1968 and attended Chenier Business College where he was the fastest typist and shorthand student in the school’s history. He was employed by Santa Fe Railway in Houston, Texas until 1970 when he entered the United States Navy, and served in the Vietnam War on the USS Mauna Kea, an ammunition ship, as a radio dispatcher. He then served in the Naval Reserves for six years with an honorable discharge as a third class petty officer. He returned home and was transferred to Temple, Texas as a secretary to the superintendent of Santa Fe Railway. He attended railroad engineer school in Topeka, Kansas in 1978 and was a railway engineer until 2005. He was then promoted to Burlington Northern–Santa Fe Field Safety Coordinator.
He attended RCIA in 2005 and was confirmed into the Catholic Church in 2006. He attended St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica where he served as usher and was a member of the Knights of Columbus and St. Anthony Men’s Club.
Gary enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. He liked country and jazz music and played the dobro. He was an amateur gunsmith, made deer sausage, and built golf clubs. He enjoyed wonderful occasions with his many family members and friends. He was an excellent cajun cook, loved crossword puzzles, and was an avid reader.
Gary is survived by the love of his life for thirty years, Veronica Benoit Rushing, whom he met when she x-rayed him in 1978. Survivors also include his son, Matthew Rushing and wife Shauna of Lumberton; daughters, Lisa Saulsberry and husband Chad of Port Neches, Tonya Davis and husband Bo Jack of Vidor; grandchildren, Carissa, Kamri, Cole, Jack, Kori, Paige, and Sawyer; father, M.L. Rushing; sister, Martha Kees of Sulphur, Louisiana; eight sisters-in-law; ten brothers-in-law; twenty-eight nieces and nephews; twenty-nine great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother, Opal Rushing and his brother, Keith Rushing.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 17, 2009 at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont followed by burial at Restlawn Memorial Park in Vidor under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will be Friday, January 16, 2009 from 4:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a rosary recited at 6:00 p.m. at the mortuary.
The family wishes to thank his many friends and doctors: Dr. Erwin Lo, Dr. Vinay Puduvalli, Dr. Sayed Akhtar, and the staff of Odyssey Hospice Care.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, P.O. Box 3309, Beaumont, Texas 77704.
