Frederick Marshall Bush III

Jackson - Jackson, MS-Frederick Marshall Bush III, a lawyer who specialized in commercial and tax law for many years, died on January 21, 2025 in Jackson, MS. He was 79 and maintained homes in New York City and Jackson.

Mr. Bush, known as Mike, was the grandson, son, brother, and uncle of Mississippi lawyers and was a mentor to many more.

Born February 26, 1945, in Washington, DC, Mike was the eldest of three sons of the late Katie Ruth (Field) Bush and Frederick Marshall Bush Jr. From an early age, Mike showed qualities and characteristics that would shape much of his life. He was driven, focused, and had a talent for keeping an eye on the big picture. As a boy, he was an active member of the Boy Scouts and achieved the rank of Eagle Scout at the early age of 12. He received his secondary education at Murrah High School in Jackson and Tupelo High School, where he was elected class president. In 1967, he graduated from Brown University with a degree in economics.

Mike attended the University of Mississippi School of Law, where he graduated first in his class, was editor-in-chief of the law journal, and was named outstanding law graduate by the faculty. He is believed to be the first student to achieve these three accolades while graduating in only two years. He was offered a position on the faculty but preferred to go into private practice. Mike served in the Navy Reserve, commissioned as an ensign in the Judge Advocate General's Corp, from which he was honorably discharged. Upon graduating from Ole Miss in 1969, he joined his father in practice at Mitchell, McNutt & Bush as an associate. He earned a Master of Laws degree from Harvard Law School in 1972.

Two years later, he was named a partner in Mitchell, McNutt & Bush and remained there for another 15 years. In 1989, Mike joined Phelps Dunbar, where he spent the remaining 36 years of his career. He was the managing partner of the firm's Tupelo office for 22 years. In 2011, the firm's managing partner invited him to lunch. "I was thinking I was about to be fired," Mike said. Instead, he was asked to consider relocating to Jackson to head Phelps Dunbar's business practice. He accepted the new role in Jackson, where he remained active in the firm to some extent until his death.

Mike encouraged his sons to work hard and pursue their goals to the fullest, saying, "If you work hard and treat every opportunity like it might be your last, you can succeed at anything you choose." Mike was a valuable and effective ally when his sons faced hurdles and roadblocks. He would brainstorm, problem-solve, and strategize. His son Grant said, "When it came to our academic and career goals, Dad held up his end of the bargain." His son Marshall commented, "In another life, he could have been a pretty effective wartime consigliere."

A genial, self-deprecating gentleman at heart, Mike enjoyed many hobbies, including traveling, black-and-white photography, water skiing, and trout fishing with his father in the American West. He also possessed an encyclopedic knowledge of the classic television comedy Cheers.

One of his favorite hobbies in recent years was entertaining family and friends in New York. Mike had an open-door policy and, on some occasions, hosted guests for months at a time. Grant said, "A few of my friends have spent more time in that home than I have, and Dad loves it."

Mike is survived by two sons with his former wife, Martha Hansen Adams: Frederick Marshall Bush IV, and his wife Yara of Winston-Salem, NC, and Grant Hansen Bush of Los Angeles, CA; three granddaughters, Arabella, Nina, and Estela Bush; one brother, Richard Stewart Bush and his wife Arla of Marksville, LA; as well as several nieces and nephews and their families. His brother, Carl Jennings Bush (survived by his long-time companion Pamela Feldman Smith) of Jackson, preceded him in death. Mike was loved and will be missed.

A graveside service at Tupelo Memorial Cemetery will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 29. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to All Saints' Episcopal Church, 608 Jefferson St., Tupelo 38801 Saint Andrew's Episcopal Cathedral, 305 East Capitol St., Jackson, MS. 39201 Byrne-Field Scholarship Fund at the CREATE Foundation,P.O. Box 1053, Tupelo, MS. 38802 or a charity of your choice.

Holland Funeral Directors-Tupelo is honored to be serving their friends. (662 840 5000)