James Rush

James (Jim/Jamie) Rush

April 4, 1935 ~ November 20, 2016 (age 81)

Jim was born in Cumberland County, Kentucky in the depths of the Great Depression. He died on November 20, 2016 at Norton Audubon Hospital surrounded by his loving family. He is survived by his wife Wilda (Durbin) Rush and his two children, Jeff Rush (Darlene) of Port Orange, Florida and Julie Yeager-Cayot (Dennis) of Louisville, three step-children Kathy, Rhonda and Chuck, four sisters Georgia, Sally, Jule and Joyce, five grandchildren, eleven step-grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. Jim was preceded in death by his parents James and Cassie (Riddle) Rush and thirteen siblings.

Growing up with seventeen siblings on the family farm, Jim learned the value of hard work. Everyone had a job to do and Jim's job was to take care of the family's mules and horses, which were critical to the family's well-being as they had no electricity or power machinery. Jim attended school in Cumberland County. He moved to Louisville, Kentucky and remained there until his passing. He pursued a variety of careers including carpentry, farming and working at the Kentucky State Fair Grounds. He never lost his love for mules and horses and owned mules until his passing. He has been a Judge at the Kentucky State Fair Donkey & Mule Show, a judge at the Larue County Kentucky Donkey & Mule Show, a member of the Kentucky Mule & Donkey Association and a member of the American Mule & Donkey Society. He also served as a game warden at Fort Knox and was a member of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Posse which, among other things, included riding his horse in the annual Kentucky Derby Parade.

Jim loved his mules and horses but his legacy is defined by family and friends that loved him. His daily phone calls to family and friends were legendary. Jim's absence is already being felt by all those family and friends. Visitation will be held on Friday, November 25, 2016, from 3 pm to 8 pm and Saturday, November 26, 2016 from 10 am to 1 pm at Newcomer Funeral Home, Southwest Louisville Chapel, 10304 Dixie Highway, Louisville, KY 40272. Jim's funeral ceremony will be held at 1:00 pm on Saturday at the funeral home. Since Jim did not like flowers but loved kids, memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House (550 S 1st Street, Louisville, KY 40202) an organization that was close to Jim's heart. To leave a special message for the family, please use the "Share Memories" selection below.