Thomas James Rush

Thomas James Rush, loving husband of Anita Macklin Rush, father of Diane Michele and Jackie Lynn Reese Packer, grandfather of Haley Beth and Zachary Ryan Packer, son of Edward F. and the late Dorothy T Rush, brother of Edward Louise and Joseph Peggy and the late William Rush and Ruth Smith. Also survived by nieces and nephews, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and dear friends in Pennsylvania, Texas and Nevada. Tom was born November 4, 1951 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to Edward Franklin Rush and Dorothy Todd Willis. He passed away August 31, 2009 in Sugar Land. Tom graduated from Langley High School in Pittsburgh, PA, where he also attended Conley Vocational School, Cleveland Institute of Electronics and Community College of Allegheny County. Tom served two years during the Vietnam era in the United States Army and worked for Bell Telephone Company of Pennsylvania. While in Pennsylvania, Tom was an active member of Avalon Lodge #657, Bellevue Royal Arch Chapter # 386, Allegheny Commandry # 35, Gorgas Lodge of Perfection and the Arabia Shrine. He was involved with and contributed to many children's charities. Together with his wife Anita and their daughters, Tom transferred to Houston in 1982. He was employed with Southwestern Bell Telephone, where he received their highest service honor, the Ryder Award, from the Dallas Market area. Tom was a Life Member of the Fort Bend County Fair Association, a CERT volunteer, former president of the Sugar Land Ag Booster Club, a former member of the Kempner Ag Booster Club, the Sugar Land Citizen's Police Academy Alumni, the Sugar Land Search and Recovery Team and a member of the SBC Telephone Pioneers. Tom dearly loved and enjoyed his family and grandchildren, and his spontaneous travel adventures with Anita, his wife of 38 years. A special friend, Liberty Belle his English Bulldog, was a constant companion. He was a talented craftsman and woodworker who shared his talents with everyone, and his handiwork was perfection. He believed in a strong work ethic and was dedicated to helping all mankind. Tom's tremendous faith was the cornerstone of his life and he and will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. Tom was a member of St. Teresa Catholic Church in Sugar Land. Friends will be received from 5:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M., Thursday, September 3, 2009 in the State Room of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. Another visitation will be held from 3:00 P.M. until 8:00 P.M. with a rosary at 7:00 P.M., on Friday, September 4, 2009 in the Chapel of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home in Rosenberg. Mass of Christian burial will be held at St. Teresa's Church in Sugar Land at 10:00 A.M., Saturday, September 5, 2009 followed by interment in Greenlawn Memorial Park in Rosenberg. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Brain Trauma Foundation or the Shriners Hospital in Houston/Galveston. Pallbearers will be Edward Robert Rush , Reese Packer, Eddie Makara, Garland Melancon, and Daniel Macklin. Honorary pallbearers will be Zachary and Haley Packer and Joseph Victor Rush. Words of condolence may be left for the Rush family at www.davisgreenlawnfh.com. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Davis-Greenlawn Funeral Home, 3900 B.F. Terry Blvd., Rosenberg, Texas, 77471. 281-341-8800

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Thomas James Rush

November 4, 1951 - August 31, 2009