Ralph Harley Rush

Ralph Harley Rush, 81, of Kearney, Missouri, peacefully left this earth for his heavenly home on March 13, 2026, surrounded by family.

Ralph was born February 16, 1945, in Fort Smith, Arkansas. He was raised by his loving mother, along with four brothers and two sisters in Sugar Grove, Arkansas. He grew up hearing about God's love for him, and he eventually committed his life to follow Him with all his heart.

He met Lovina when he was 20 years old, and she was the love of his life for 59 years. They had two daughters, whom they raised as they had been raised, to follow God with all their hearts. Ralph loved his family fiercely. He also loved his church family and found joy in serving in many capacities through the years.

Ralph and Lovina loved to travel, visiting countries throughout Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and the Americas for vacations and visiting their children. They never missed a graduation, though most of their grandchildren studied abroad. Ralph could fix anything, move anything, or figure out how to make anything work. He was a great lover of fishing, boating, and travel.

Ralph worked for the railroad for 27 years, followed by 14 years with Commerce Bank. After Ralph and Lovina retired, they enjoyed more travel and served for several years as volunteers with Christian camps and disaster relief projects, where Ralph was discovered to be an expert with a chainsaw.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Edna Mae (Robertson) Holt; stepfather, Edgar Holt; sister, Nancy (Rush) Weaver; and son-in-law, Charles Stewart Beaty.

Ralph is survived by his wife, Lovina Kay (Simmons) Rush of the home; sister, Diana Rush Wilkins (Roger); brothers, Jim Rush (Carol), Floyd Parnell (Sandy), and Edgar Holt (Norma); brother-in-law, Woodrow Weaver; daughters, Christina Rush Olson (Daniel) and Victoria Rush Dugan (Rodney); grandchildren, Amanda Beaty Pentecost (Josh), Philip Olson, Paul Olson (Danielle), Alexandre Beaty (Cheyenne), Mary Ann Olson Duket (Jeremy), Ashleigh Beaty, Julia Olson Zozulia (Roman), Lauryn Reid Rush (Weston), Abigail Beaty, Lindsay Reid, Luke Olson; five precious great-grandchildren; many beloved nieces and nephews, extended family, and great friends.

Ralph's family will greet guests at visitation on Friday, March 20, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. Both events will be held at First Baptist Church, Kearney, Missouri. Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Kearney following the funeral.

A livestream of the services will be available on the YouTube channel and Facebook page of First Baptist Church of Kearney, Missouri.

Memorial donations can be delivered to First Baptist Church, Kearney, MO Building Fund or the International Mission Board designated in memory of Ralph Rush. Checks made payable to the organization can be left at the church or made online: https://kearneyfbc.com/give# or https://www.imb.org/give/.

Arrangements are in care of Fry-Bross & Spidle Funeral Home, Kearney.