David Rush

MSGT. David L. Rush, USAF (Ret.) passed away at the age of 73 at a hospice in Winston-Salem, North Carolina after an extended battle with cancer. He was born and raised in Eureka, CA. Following graduation from high school, he enlisted in the Air Fore and had a 23 year career as a medic which included tours in Vietnam and Elmendorf AFB, AK. David and Mary H. Rush, his previous wife for 39 years, resided in Anchorage for over 25 years. They made many close friends and were active members of the Dimond Baptist church. After retiring from the Air Force, David worked as a medic at several remote Air Force sites in Alaska and then as a corrections officer at Hiland Mountain State Prison from which he again retired. David was an expert marksman and outdoorsman who excelled at hunting and fishing. He will fondly be remembered for his wry sense of humor, steadfast loyalty to friends, and willingness to help anyone in need. David is survived by his children from a first marriage, Art and Debbie of CA., third wife Mary N. Rush of Opp, Alabama, brothers Don of South Dakota and Kenneth of CA., in-laws Bill and Peggy Thompson and family of Winston-Salem, NC., and John Francine Hollowell of Atlanta, GA. David was preceded in death in 2005 by second wife and love of his life, Mary Hollowell Rush, a retired Air Force nurse. He leaves very close and dear friends, Rosemary Tucker and Melanie Cochrane and her children, David and Lauren of Anchorage, AK., Cecil and Betty Bledsoe of Alabama, and long time hunting, fishing, and social friends, John and Darlene Rotell and family of Spokane, WA, and Alvin, Miyoko, Jim, Melissa, and Justin Befort of Anchorage, AK. David was a generous friend to all and left a large hold in the lives of all who knew him. David was cremated and both his ashes and those of his second wife, Mary Hollowell Rush, are to be scattered on Mount McKinley.