MGySgt Richard Clayton Rush's Obituary
MGySgt Richard Clayton Rush, 94, was taken to his eternal home on his birthday, August 15th, 2022. He was born in Canal Winchester, Ohio. He was a highly decorated Master Gunnery Sergeant who proudly served his country for 28 years in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Upon graduation from high school at the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps at the end of WW2. He served as a crew member in the marine transport aircraft. During the Korean War, he received four Air Medals for flying over 300 support missions in Korea. He was also an expert pistol and rifle marksman.
Prior to his assignment to a tour in Vietnam, he was the NCO in charge of the assignment of all Marine aviation personnel. His evaluation of the new computer assignment program for the Marine Corps resulted in major changes to the recruitment standards for all Marine aviation personnel during Vietnam. After Korea, he was stationed in Japan and acted as the chairman of “Operation Happy Face” in MCAS Iwakuni, Japan. This operation assisted over 20 orphanages in the Yamaguchi Prefecture.
After retirement from the USMC, he was an electronics professor at State Technical Institute in Memphis, retiring after 20 years. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and of the Marine Corps League. He was a PTA president of Havelock Jr High School while stationed in North Carolina and a PTA president of The Lutheran High School in Memphis.
He was a 40-year communicant member of Messiah Lutheran church here in Memphis, where he served various positions. He was a lifetime supporter of the Boy Scouts of America forming the Boy Scout troop #410, two Explorer posts, and assisted in the establishment of a Cub Scout pack at Messiah Lutheran Church. During his 18 years as a Scout Master, he received the District Award of Merit, the Chickasaw Council Silver Beaver Award, and the National Lutheran Church Lamb Award. He was a devoted husband and father. Speaking about his wife “We walk together. She walks to the left, I walk to the right, and that way we go forward”. They met in Takarazuka, Japan in 1954. Their first date was at a dance hall, and throughout their lives, they became avid ballroom dancers. His other passions in life were gardening where he earned the title of Master Gardener from the University of Tennessee Extension Program and genealogical research.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Kazue Sone, his sister Carol Ann Rush Thompson, and his children: Marguerite Brugge, Richard Jr (Beth) Rush, Dorothy (Michael) Rush-Mitchell, Carol (Jeff) Rush-Winnette, and Dr. Benjamin (LiAn) Rush. He is fervently missed by his 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.
The visitation will be held 10:00 a.m. until the service time at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, August 31, 2022 at Messiah Lutheran Church, 3743 Austin Peay Hwy, Memphis TN 38128.
Memorial contributions may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church, 3743 Austin Peay Hwy, Memphis TN 38128.
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