Bobby Joe Bush was born to Joe Raymond Bush and Eula Bevill Bush on July 15, 1924 in Groesbeck, Texas. Bobby was the only child born to Joe and Eula. He grew up in Groesbeck, Texas then later moving to Waco, Texas where he graduated from High School. Growing up in Texas, Bobby loved hunting, fishing and camping with his family and relatives. Upon graduating from Waco High School, he attended Texas A&M University from one year, then volunteering for the Army Air Corps in 1943. Bobby rose to the rank of 1st lieutenant. He served in the 15th Air Force as a P-51 fighter pilot. Fighting in the Mediterranean Theater of operations based in Foaga, Italy he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in battle for saving a crippled B-24 bomber that was under attack by two German ME-I07 Messerschmitt. Bobby went on to fly 50 combat missions over Germany and Central and Eastern Europe. Upon returning home to the United States he attended Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas receiving a bachelor's degree in marketing. He remained active in the Air Force reserve up through the end of the Korean War. In 1949 he married Emily Mayes and to that union one son was born, Joe Henry Bush. Bobby, went on to work for several food manufacturing and processing companies until in 1968 he founded Bob Bush Sales Co. an institutional food brokerage company in Houston, Texas. In later years he entered farming with his son in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas for a number of years. Bobby lived a very full and exciting life with many great accomplishments, but the greatest of all came in 1983 while attending the Rio Hondo Baptist Church in Rio Hondo, Texas he gave his heart to the Lord Jesus Christ. At the same time his son Joe and now daughter in law Janie made the same profession of faith. Shortly afterwards all three were

water baptized at the same time. Upon accepting Jesus as his personal Lord and Savior he became very active in church ministry, ministering weekly at the county and federal jails in Brownsville, Texas as well as the federal detention center at Bayview, Texas. Bobby, was active in the Full Gospel Business Men's Association, Chuck Colson's Prison Ministry and Angel Tree supplying and distributing Christmas gifts to the children of men and women incarcerated in prison. Bobby through his life and testimony lead many men and women to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ, even baptizing inmates in jail. In 1987 the joy of his life was born, his only grandson Joe Andrew. Bobby and Joe Andrew spent many happy times together hunting, fishing and playing baseball. Bobby came to live in Eads, Colorado at the Weisbrod Nursing Home after suffering a stroke as the results of an open heart surgery in Harlingen, Texas. He was a resident of Weisbrod Nursing Home from Nov 2001 until his passing away on Jan 26, 2007. He greatly loved the staff at Weisbrod Nursing Home and appreciated very much the fine care he received. He especially enjoyed the church services on Sunday and special events such as when the Red Hat Ladies would come and sing for the residents. He also enjoyed going out to eat in Eads on many occasions with his son and daughter in law, Janie who he always called the daughter he never had. Bobby lived a very full and active life with few regrets and many accomplishments to be thankful for. Bobby walked many years with the Lord, living a life of service, dignity and integrity, what other testimony could be greater than this to leave behind for his family and friends to follow.


Bobby Joe Bush died on Friday evening, January 26, 2007 at the Weisbrod Nursing Home in Eads. He is survived by his son Joe (Janie) Bush and his grandson Joe Andrew Bush all of Chivington, CO.


Funeral services were held on Monday January 29, 2007 at the Assembly of God Church in Eads with Pastor Richard Zabriski officiating. Casketbearers were: Joe Andrew Bush, George Wingard, Melvin H. Bryant, Oscar Bushwar, Rich Hockett, Larry Wyatt, Harvey Shade and Walt Immer. The Eads Assembly of God Worship Team provided the music for the service. Graveside Military honors and committal services are being held at the Faulkenbury Cemetery in Groesbeck, Texas on Thursday, February 1, 2007.


Memorial contributions may be made to the Weisbrod Nursing Home Auxiliary.