John Cheatham Rush Sr.

John Cheatham Rush Sr. was born Jan. 7, 1924, in Philadelphia, Miss., and died Monday, Oct. 5, 2009, at age 85. Visiting at St. Jean Vianney Catholic Church, 16166 S. Harrell's Ferry Road, on Thursday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. until Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m., with the Rev. Jerry Martin, celebrant. Interment in the Biloxi National Cemetery in Biloxi, Miss., on Friday, Oct. 9,  at 1:30 p.m. He is survived by a son, John Rush Jr., of Taos, N.M.; two daughters, Mary Rush Borne and husband Leonce Borne Jr., of Baton Rouge, and Katy Rush and husband Chris Stiebling, of Mandeville; two granddaughters, Teri Rush, of Boulder, Colo., and Taylor Boudreaux, of Baton Rouge; and great-grandson, Philip Boudreaux, of Baton Rouge. He was preceded in death by his wife, JoAnn McMillan Rush; daughter, Theresa Ann Rush; parents, Thomas Rush Sr. and Emily Cheatham Rush; brothers, Thomas Jr. and Patrick; and sister, Katherine Rush Evans. After participating in the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach in World War II and other battles in Normandy, France, he served in Gen. Patton's Third Army. He graduated from Mississippi State in 1949. He was a sales representative in the oil field industry for Schlumberger. He and his wife relocated to Baton Rouge in 2005 after Hurricane Katrina destroyed their home in Slidell. The family would like to thank the caring staff at Just Like Home, and everyone at St. Joseph's Carpenter House for their loving care. In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to St. Joseph's Hospice, 10615 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, LA 70809 or the Covenant House of New Orleans that provides a safe haven for at-risk and homeless youths, 611 N. Rampart St., New Orleans, LA 70112. Arrangements by Resthaven Funeral Home. Please visit our online guest book and make memorial donations at www.resthavenbatonrouge.com.