Bendel Rushing Sr.

Rushing
Bendel Seveil Rushing, Sr., passed away Monday, August 1, 2011 from complications of Parkinson's disease and Lewey Body dementia. He was born in LaSalle Parrish, Standard Louisiana on April 15, 1931 to Percy M Rushing and Louis L. Horn Rushing.
Bendel was raised in Duty, La and took a boat across the river to school in Enterprise, La. He was Valedictorian of his senior class but joked it was "no big deal… there weren't but 12 in the class". He came to Houston TX around 1951. He was married to Katharine Jordon, the mother of his 3 sons, for 23 years. He retired from Charter Oil Co in 1996 with 42 years in that refinery as an operator and then welder in the maintenance dept. The refinery changed names several times during those years and is now Valero. One night after working on a steam leak at the plant he thought there must be a better way to do this and he designed a bolt to stop the leak on the valves and was awarded a patent No 4.620.731 for it in Nov 1986. Bendel was also part owner of the former Speed Oilfield Equipment Co. He was a hard worker and at one time worked the two jobs to try to provide a good life for his family. He loved his family deeply. Many friends have commented about how much he did for them and was always there to lend a helping hand or help out.
Bendel and Judith Marie (Hayes) Mayes were married Aug 1, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nv and he passed on their 33 wedding anniversary. They shared a deep love for each other and enjoyed a good life, including several trips across the states, 2 of which were to Hawaii. She lovingly and tirelessly was by his side caring for him through the 13 or so years of his illness, of which the last 2 and a half years he was cared for at Sugar Land Healthcare facility.
Bendel was preceded in death by his parents, his brothers Alvin and Herbert Rushing, and his sister Nellie Mae Rushing Holdeman. He is survived by his devoted wife Judy Rushing, sons Bendel Seveil Jr, Ronald Wayne (Debbie), and Rodney Ray Rushing (Yvette); grandchildren Ben, Bryson, Elisa, Ryan, Taylor (Carolina), Maggie and Matthew Rushing; nieces Jeannette Hernandez, Donna Lou Guilbeaux, Valda Parker, Janet Rushing and nephews Gerald and Eugene Rushing; his second family - sons Billy (Jo), Chris and John (Karen) Mayes; grandchildren Russell (Toyna), Carli, Hunter and Alli Mayes, Billy and Glynn Cowart, Jake Payne; great-grandchildren Coby, Lilah, Russell Jr, and Devin Mayes and Destiny Acosta, mother-in-law Lenora Chapman.
A memorial service will be held Friday, August 12, 2011 at 11:00 am in the Sugar Creek Baptist Church Chapel with visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Parkinson's or Lewey Body Foundation to hopefully find a cure for these cruel diseases.