Kazue Sone Rush's Obituary
Kazue “Kay” Sone Rush, 95, joined her beloved husband, Richard Clayton Rush, to her eternal heavenly home on November 7, 2022.
Kazue was the oldest child born to Shuichi and Shige Sone in 1927 in Osaka, Japan. She belonged to a prominent Japanese family and had six younger siblings. Throughout her childhood, she had to overcome several tragedies, including her exposure to war and bloodshed throughout World War II. Her family home was bombed and destroyed. As a child, she learned in school how to fight enemy soldiers with a stick of bamboo called a naginata.
As a young woman she was a primary school teacher in Fukuyama City. In 1954, she sought permission from the Japanese government to marry American marine, MGySgt Richard C. Rush. Her reference stated, “She is a brilliant, cultured, and honest woman. She has many good qualities as a Japanese woman…She has [the] ability to build up a nice family…She will be a step[ping] stone for building up good understandings between Japan and America for the peace of [the] world.” Kazue was a fervently proud American citizen. She was especially proud to share her birthday, July 4th, with the United States of America, and you could find her yard and house adorned with American flags on every 4th of July holiday.
Kazue was the mother of five children and a successful homemaker. She was stern but loving. A time cannot be remembered in which she ever raised her voice. Her husband was a highly decorated U.S. Marine and often praised for his service to this country. He gave all of the credit to his wife for being “the real hero.” Kazue found joy in sharing her Japanese culture through her cooking, decorating, and flower arranging. She was also a skilled pianist and enthusiastic swimmer.
Kazue was a devout Christian and a member of Messiah Lutheran Church for 60 years. She poured her love into her family- her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. She would greet every person with a smile and a hug. When it was time to leave, Kazue would stand in the driveway, waving and saying “I love you” even after her family was long out of sight.
She is survived by her sister in law Tokiko Sone, sister Hisako (Hiroshi) Tsuchiya, and her children: Marguerite Brugge, Richard Jr (Beth) Rush, Dorothy (Michael) Rush-Mitchell, Dr. Benjamin (LiAn) Rush and Carol (Jeff) Rush-Winnette. She will be fervently missed by her grandchildren Elizabeth (William) Neilson, Jerry Richards, Anna Brugge, Christine Richards, Jessica Richards, Adam Pegouske, Richard Rush III, Matthew Rush, Austin Pegouske, Madison Winnette, Sophia Rush, great-grandchildren Mia Barboza, Kota Rivas, Eli Barboza, Marguerite Neilson, and Gianna Shaw.
Memorial donations in Mrs. Rush's honor can be made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 3743 Austin Peay Hwy, Memphis TN 38128.
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