L.C. Rush was born February 13, 1927 in Markham, Texas, the youngest child of Sally and Eugene Rush. He also spent several summers in Port Aransas, Texas and had many fond memories of his time there. He was a World War II veteran, worked for Sun oil company and he and his wife Irene also owned and operated Rush's Café and Motel.

L.C. or "Red" as he was known to his boyhood, oilfield and Army friends, lived his entire life in Markham Texas. The youngest and smallest of six Rush boys, L.C. and his mother Sally faced tremendous challenges during the Great Depression, where finding three meals a day was often a challenge. He often spoke of those days, and dinners of greens, corn bread and sweet milk on a routine basis, not with regret, but as one more challenge he had faced, and had overcome. He was a Christian in the most important sense of the word. He prayed every day of his life, leaned on God for strength, and instilled this faith in his four children.

L.C. enlisted in the Army back when checks of actual qualifications, including age, were not as closely monitored as they are in the current Army. Despite his small size, he thrived as a Soldier. He served with honor in the Pacific Theater as an Infantryman. His brother, Corporal Carl Rush, was serving with the1-31st Infantry Regiment in the Philippines when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor.
Carl fought during the defense of the Philippines, survived the Bataan Death March, but later died in a Japanese prison camp. L.C. was able to visit Carl's gravesite after the Allies recaptured the Philippines.

Following the war, L.C. worked in the Texas oilfield. His drive and physical toughness enabled him to endure blistering summers and freezing winter rain as a roughneck. He was proud of his ability throw a spinning chain, joking that he was so skilled that he could "throw it out of his hip pocket" and worked that position until graduating to "derrick hand" working a 100 feet plus in the air,
where the margin for mistakes is zero. In time he left the drilling rigs and worked for many years for Sun Oil Company as a roustabout, in small gas plant operations, and other positions.

During this period, while working full time for Sun Oil, L.C. and Irene operated a café and later a café and motel for many years in Markham. Also during this period he built more than one house with his bare hands, from the foundation to the roof, accomplishing all associated tasks, with no real training. You see L.C. was not only able to overcome great physical challenges as the "runt" of his family (some of his brothers were over six feet tall) but he was extremely intelligent and skilled with his hands. He could do home construction, wire a house, repair a car, fix a Cub Cadet lawnmower that had not run in five years, and a plethora of other tasks. He never said, "This is just too hard", he just did it, working as long as it took to complete the task. He was also a great thinker and had several patents for inventions. He did all of this with a sixth grade education. If he had been able to attend college, there is no
telling what else he might have been able to accomplish.

This lack of a degree or formal training never slowed him down, or made him doubt whether or not he could accomplish some difficult task, he just knew he could do it. If, however, you were to ask him what was his and Irene's greatest accomplishment, he would say his children. He and Irene struggled financially and went without many of the things the current generation consider necessities, in order to send all of them to college. His oldest daughter Brenda was a gifted teacher and is currently a successful realtor. His son Topper, though often a tremendous challenge to keep on task, pursued a career in the Army, serving as an Infantryman, like his Dad. His son Dennis went on to fill a key position at the Celanese plant in Bay City. His son Darryl is a successful song writer, singer and recording artist and also works in chemical sales. L.C. and Irene devoted all their spare time to their children, encouraging them, developing them, helping them, even years after they should have been standing on their own two feet.

L.C. was honest to a fault, and had a heart as big as Texas. Following a storm in Markham, he agreed to complete extensive repairs to a church in town. L.C. worked for days repairing this church. When the church deacons paid him, he put the check in the church offering plate and never said a word. This kind of goodness influences others greatly, including one's own children.

After his retirement he and Irene enjoyed going to garage sales and had a booth at the Canton, Texas flea market for 25 years. We really don't know what heaven looks like, but for L.C. and Irene--who joined our Lord before L.C., it probably has a special place that looks a lot like Canton, with rows of garage sale treasures.

L.C. was preceded in death by his parents, wife Irene, Sister Jenny Condra, brothers Eugene, Carl, Milton, Joe, and Louis, as well as grandson Bradly Rush Damron and great granddaughter Kelly Casteel.

He is survived by his daughter Brenda and husband Bill Damron, sons Colonel Topper Rush and his wife Patricia, Dennis and his wife Marianne, Darryl and his wife Karen, grandchildren Dawn Rush Germany, Brooke Damron Casteel, Blake Damron, Captain David Rush, Daniel Rush, Nathan Rush, Catherine Rush, Justin Rush, Jarrett Rush, Caroline Rush and Lily Rush. Also by five great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews, and family friends.

His family and friends rejoice in the great life he lived, his Christian example, iron will to accomplish challenging tasks in great adversity, and selfless love for his children and friends.

Services will be held on Thursday, 17 September. Visitation will be at 9 AM and the service at 10 AM at First Baptist Church in Markham. He will be buried next to Irene in Hawley Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Joe Johnson, David Rush, Blake Damron, Daniel Rush, Nathan Rush, Justin Rush, Jarrett Rush and Jordan Bailey.

The family requests donations be made in his honor to the First Baptist Church of Markham where he was a loyal member for over 70 years.