Kenny Earl Rushing

Kenny Rushing Obituary
Kenny Earl Rushing, age 74, of Valley View, Florida, passed from this life surrounded by family on January 31, 2024. Kenny was the son of Katie and Tuppie Rushing of Red Bay. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Penny Rushing. On October 24, 1986, he married Shirley Rushing. Together, Kenny and Shirley spent thirty-seven years raising a large, loving family. Kenny served his country in the United States Army as a Corporal. He flew in Chinooks and Hueys as a crew chief and door gunner during the Vietnam War. After an honorable discharge, he came home and began taking care of his family, which grew to six daughters and two sons. In his younger years, he enjoyed SCUBA diving, camping at the river and bay, fixing up his vintage WILLYS Jeeps, arrowhead hunting, and spending time on his houseboat on the Choctawhatchee River. Kenny had the patience and foresight to set long term goals which served him well. He built his dream home after first building a sawmill and milling the lumber himself. He was well-respected for his integrity and work ethic, but he also knew how to have a good time. Kenny often entertained friends and family by playing guitar and singing or telling one of his original Boudreaux jokes. He could build or fix anything, got immense joy out of his grandkids, enjoyed growing fruit trees, and loved his dog, Lady. Kenny retired as an electrician for Mobil Oil after twenty years. He then went to work for Regional Utilities in South Walton for another decade before he fully "unplugged" and became the Natural Light of all of our lives.
Kenny is survived by his wife, Shirley Rushing; his children, Wendi Christner, Malacie Flemming, Luke (Terri) Cotton, Kayci Rushing (Justin), Jodi (Frank) Araneo, Ryan (Brezy) Rushing, Shelley Carroll, and Marti (Craig) Sherrouse; his grandchildren: Evan Christner, Landon and Jackson Flemming, Hali and Lucas Cotton, Hazel Hunter, Makaydi (Koby) Harrison, Anney-Kate, Teghan, and Bricen Araneo, Morgan and Hoyt Rushing, Sydney and Gaige Nixon, Braydon and Carter Carroll, and Cayson and Chandler Sherrouse; and great-granddaughter, Kinsley Nixon; his siblings: Anita Mitchell, Eddie (Judy) Rushing, Chet (Vicki) Rushing, and Margie Williams; and many extended family and lifelong friends.
The family would like to thank Pallbearers, Tater Griggs, Tracey Owens, David Owens, Kenny Owens, Jarred Bell and Mike Wagher; and Reverend Kenny Montgomery.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2024, in the chapel of Davis-Watkins Funeral Home, 1474 Highway 83 North, DeFuniak Springs, Florida 32433, beginning at 11:00 a.m. A time of visitation will be held one hour prior. Committal services will follow at Red Bay Cemetery with military honors provided by the United States Army.