Harry Bush

Harry Harmon Bush

Laurel

Harry Harmon Bush, of Laurel, passed away on May 1, 2014. He was born to the late A.A. and Lillian Bush on December 3, 1932, in Magee, Mississippi. The family moved to Laurel in 1936. Harry graduated from George S. Gardner High School in 1949, attended Jones County Junior College, and graduated from Mississippi State University in 1954. He served two years in the US Army as Lieutenant from 1954 to 1956. While stationed in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he was introduced to the woman who became the love of his life, Jeanne Cain, who was the host of a TV cooking show. Harry and Jeanne were married on April 29, 1956.

In addition to his devoted wife of 58 years, Harry is survived by daughter and son-in-law Linda & Scott Burdine of Houston, TX, and children Brian, Laura and Katie; son and daughter-in-law Harry Jr. & Carolyn of Boerne, TX, and children Amy & Joshua; daughter and son-in-law Trish & Steve Johnston of Dallas, and children Will, Wes & Kit. He is also survived by brother James Wray and wife Shirley Bush and their children, Mike & wife Cynthia, and Leann Pearson & husband Kyle; brother Rev. Arnold Bush and children Stephen & wife Katherine, Andrew & wife Shannon, David & wife Helen, Margaret Cassimus & husband John, and Elizabeth, and many dear cousins and other relatives too numerous to list.

Harry, along with his brother James Wray and cousin Latrelle, worked together in the family road construction business, taking Bush Construction Company from revenues of $15 million and 125 employees in the early days to revenues of $36 million and almost 500 employees before the company was sold in 1998. Harry served as President of Bush Construction Company from 1956 to 1998.

After "retiring" from the road construction business in 1998, Harry and Jeanne began a new career in land development. They developed the luxury home community of Windermere, inspired by the beauty of the Lake District of England. Harry's eight grandchildren love visiting Windermere, as each has a street named in his or her honor.

Harry dearly loved his community of Laurel and Jones County, encouraging his family and friends to "buy local" before it was trendy. He was one of the original organizers of the Jones County Economic Development Authority, served as Chairman from 1986 to 1989, and on the Board and Executive Committees from 1983 until his passing. He served on the Laurel Planning Commission for 28 years, including 2 years as Chairman, and on the Laurel Zoning Board for 16 years, including 4 years as Chairman. He was an active member of First Trinity Presbyterian Church and served as an elder and trustee. He served on numerous boards, including Trustmark National Bank, Commercial National Bank, Jones County Junior College and the Lauren Rodgers Museum of Art. He was recognized for his contributions to the City of Laurel in 1976 by being named Outstanding Citizen, the Laurel Junior Auxiliary named him Humanitarian of the Year in 1994, Jones County Junior College honored him in 2006 as Honor Alumnus and the Jones County Economic Development Authority honored him in 2008 with the Continuous Service Award.

During his time in the road building business, he enjoyed meeting and socializing with other road builders from Mississippi and other parts of the country. He was one of the organizers and first President of the Mississippi Asphalt Pavement Association, and served on the board and as President of the Mississippi Road Builders Association. The National Asphalt Pavement Association named him Man of the Year in 1972. He served that organization as a board member and President. Harry's life was made richer by the many lifelong friends he acquired through his involvement with these organizations.

Harry & Jeanne spent much of their leisure time with friends and family at their home on Perdido Key - the "Boondocks" -and on Harry's beloved boat, the "Asphalt Queen." An avid sport fisherman as a younger man, Harry loved nothing more than rising before the sun and chasing marlin, sailfish, tuna and dolphins all day long. Those lucky enough to fish with him will never forget his excitement each and every time a fish was hooked, shouting, "Get the thing!" - and the challenge of figuring out what "thing" they needed to "get". As his children got older and grandchildren came along, Perdido Key became a 4th of July gathering place for children, grandchildren, cousins, aunts and uncles. Three generations of the family now travel from Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama, California and China to reconnect each year at Perdido. Harry is famous among this crowd for his finger-lickin' barbecued ribs, lovingly prepared every 4th of July.

Harry loved life, loved people, and was generous beyond measure with his time, his riches and his talents. He loved God, his family and his church, and he had a smile and a laugh that made everyone happier. He was a man of his word, self-disciplined, hard-working, and truly wanted to leave the world a better place. All who knew him would agree that he did.

Family and friends are invited to celebrate Harry's life on Sunday, May 4 at First Trinity Presbyterian Church in Laurel, MS. Visitation at 2:30pm, Funeral Service at 4pm, Burial to follow at Lake Park Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests memorial donations be made to the following: First Trinity Presbyterian Church, 500 N. Fifth Ave., Laurel, MS 39440; the Harry H. and Jeanne C. Bush Scholarship Fund at Jones County Junior College Foundation, 900 S. Court St., Ellisville, MS 39437; The Shirley P. and James Wray Bush Pancreatic Cancer Research & Education Fund at Ochsner's Department Of Philanthropy, 1514 Jefferson Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70121; or the organization of your choice.

Memory Chapel is in charge of the arrangements. To view and sign the family guestbook, visit www.memorychapellaurel.com