H.J. “Dick” Rush

85 year old H.J. “Dick” Rush died Saturday at the Raintree Manor in McMinnville. He was born in Scottsville, Kentucky to Henry and Nora Elmore Rush.
Rush served in the U.S. Navy during World War II as an Aviation Machinist Mate 3rd Class and was a gunner and flight crew member on the TBM Avenger torpedo bombers flying off of aircraft carriers in the Pacific theater. He was the recipient of the Victory Medal for his service as part of our country’s “Greatest Generation.”
Following the war, he was employed as a flight crew member for Eastern Airlines. He met his future wife, Grace Cronce in Los Angeles, California where she was stationed as a stewardess for Trans World Airlines (TWA). Dick and Grace married in 1949 and they lived in Miami, Florida where he was stationed by Eastern Airlines. They moved to Tennessee in 1963 when Dick and his partner bought Nashville franchise rights for the Burger King restaurants. After opening several successful restaurants, he entered the commercial heating and air conditioning business and he developed and installed computerized controls for many of Nashville’s high rise office buildings.
Dick and Grace moved to Smithville, Tennessee in 2008. They were members of the Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. Grace passed away December 7, 2012. Survivors include 3 Sons, Douglas and his wife, Janette Lohman of St. Louis, Missouri, Stevan of Naples, Florida and Gregory and wife Susan of McMinnville, Tennessee; 4 Grandchildren, Brittney, Brie, William and Melanie. Visitation will be on Tuesday at DeKalb Funeral Chapel from 4:PM until 6:PM and burial will be Wednesday at 1:PM at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery in Nashville with Pastor David McMinn officiating. Military honors will be conducted by the Veterans Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family ask that donations be made to Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 4083 Yager Road, McMinnville, Tennessee 37110. Donations may also be made at the funeral home.
DeKalb Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.