Frank Lush

COUDERSPORT - Frank D. Lush, 87, passed away on Saturday (March 5, 2016) at his home in Coudersport surrounded by his family following a short illness. He had previously resided in Galeton and Yachats, Ore.
Born Nov. 13, 1928, in Galeton, he was a son of R. Otto and Edna Lush. On Aug. 20, 1950, he married Inez Asher, who survives.
Frank graduated from Wellsboro High School in 1946, attended Valley Forge Military Academy, and graduated from Grove City College with a degree in business administration in 1950.
Frank served in the U.S. Air Force for four years, from 1952-1956. He was stationed in Waco, Texas, and Denver, Colo. He was honorably discharged with the rank of staff sergeant.
Following his military service, Frank and his wife moved to Galeton, where Frank joined the family firm of Lush Brothers Inc., a retail furniture and flooring business started by his grandfather, Henry W. Lush. Frank managed the family firm along with his cousins, Henry Lush, Stanley Lush and Charles Lush. He was later joined in the business by his sons, Steven Lush and David Lush, representing the fourth generation of Lush Brothers Inc.
Frank was active in the community. He was a member and Elder of the First Presbyterian Church, where he also sang in the choir. He was a Rotarian for many years. He served as club president and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. Frank also served on the board of directors for the Northern Tier Children's Home, board of directors for the Potter County Unit of the American Cancer Society, and board of directors for Valley Forge Military Academy.
Frank enjoyed hunting, fishing, boating, golfing, camping, hiking, photography, and family vacations.
Following his retirement from Lush Brothers in 1990, Frank and Inez moved to the seaside community of Yachats, Ore. After building his home overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Frank spent the next 13 years salmon and steelhead fishing, crabbing, clamming, and exploring the beauty of the Pacific Northwest.
Frank was active in Yachats and the nearby community of Newport, Ore. He volunteered at the Oregon Coast Aquarium and the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport. The activity that Frank put the most time and energy into was the Yachats Big Band. As manager of the 17-piece band, Frank also enjoyed playing trumpet and flugelhorn in the band. The Yachats Big Band became very popular, and the band played at venues up and down the Oregon Coast.
In 2003, Frank and Inez moved to Coudersport to be closer to family. In the following years, Frank was active as a volunteer at Cole Memorial Hospital in Coudersport and sang in the First Presbyterian Church choir in Galeton. He enjoyed fishing, walking, bird watching, and spending time with family.
Over the decades, Frank and Inez traveled to many places around the world.
Frank was active in the Presbyterian Church all his life, holding various positions and singing in the choir in both Galeton and Yachats.
Surviving besides his wife of 65 years are two sons, David (Sue) Lush of Coudersport and Steven (Nanette) Lush of Bonita Springs, Fla; one granddaughter, Danielle Lush of Bonita Springs; a sister, Laura Mae King of Lancaster; one niece, Marilyn (Dennis) Gehringer of Lancaster; one nephew, William (Lisa) King of Skaneateles, N.Y.; and cousins Henry (Jean) Lush of Galeton and Stanley (Karen) Lush of Wheatridge, Colo.
The family will receive visitors from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the Fickinger Funeral Home, 210 N. East St., Coudersport. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church, Galeton, at 11 a.m. Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Presbyterian Church of Galeton; Park United Methodist Church of Coudersport; Potter County Home Health and Hospice; or the resident activity fund of Sweden Valley Manor.
Share your memories of Frank at www.thomasfickinger.com.
The Lush Family has entrusted The Thomas E. Fickinger Funeral Home with preparing the arrangements for Frank's Life Celebration.