Rex Roger Bush was born April 11, 1949 to Charles Edward and Maxine (Strong) Bush in Canova, South Dakota. He grew up in Spencer, South Dakota attending Spencer schools until his junior year. The family then moved to Webster, South Dakota where he graduated from high school. He attended Central Christian College in McPherson, Kansas graduating with an Associates Degree in industrial arts in 1969. He then continued at McPherson College for one more year. In January 1971 he married Leona Meller in Shattuck, Oklahoma. They resided in McPherson, Kansas until he was drafted into the Army. He had basic training in Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri, was transferred to AIT in Ft. Sill, Oklahoma and then served in Hue and PhuBi, Vietnam. He then returned to Shattuck, Oklahoma where he lived until his death on July 17, 2010, at the age of 61.
Roger accepted Jesus as his savior at a young age, but struggled with the assurance that many enjoy. He was often reminded that it was the sacrifice of Jesus and not our own goodness that assured us of a place with him in eternity. Roger was a doer, he never liked to be idle so you can imagine how hard it was on him when he could no longer get out and work at the things he had planned. He always thought so creatively, he could see it before it was built, he saw it before he put it on canvas, he heard it before the music was played. He could transpose almost any song to a key on the guitar that he and Le could sing. The Sunday School kids of St. Paul Congregational may especially remember "He's still workin' on me, to make me what I ought to be . . ."
He was a perfectionist, which was good for the work he produced, but difficult for him on a personal level. He required far more of himself than anyone else and had difficulty forgiving himself for his own mistakes and short comings.
The loves of his life, and the light of his world over the past months, have been his daughters and grandchildren. They filled his home with joy and laughter, and sometimes, a bit of chaos, but not one moment of regret.
Some may wonder at the choice of clothing for his burial. Those who know him best completely understand the tremendous significance to those who love him. His worth and value can only be measured by eternity.
Roger was preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Maxine Bush and his father-in-law, David Meller. He is survived by his wife, Leona; daughter, Tonja Jones, and her children, Christian and Celeste; daughter, Keri Bland, and her children, Ciara, Larissa and Chelsea; two step-grandchildren, Jordan Jones and Alexis Bland; mother-in-law, Ira Lee Meller; son-in-law, Kevin Bland; brother and sister-in-law, Charles Jr. and Shirley Bush; sister, Peggy Birney; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Glenn and Mary Meller; sister-in-law, Cindy Troyer; six nephews, four nieces, a large extended family and many close friends.
May all hearing or reading these remembrances be blessed by eternity as well.