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Harold J. Joe Rush, born in Jersey City, NJ on June 5, 1921 to Loretta and Peter Rush. He went to be with the Lord Sunday, Sep. 4, 2005. He died peacefully in his home surrounded by his loving family for whom he was always a source of love and inspiration. He had a long and colorful life and was equally proud of his long and distinguished service to his country. As an Air Force Officer and Civilian Official, he served the nation for a total of 35 years. He served with distinction in three major wars: WWII -in which he flew 35 missions in B-17s, receiving the Distinguished Flying Cross and six Air medals among his many awards and citations -Korea, and Vietnam. In the mid 1950's he was actively engaged in the Beirut Crisis while stationed in Ankara Turkey. His civil service included a post to the Defense Attache Office in Saigon where, at the conclusion of the Vietnam War, he was actively engaged in the evacuation of approximately 300, 000 Vietnamese and 1, 000 American personnel. After retiring from the Air Force and civil service, Joe worked for Lockheed, assigned as Transportation Advisor to the Iranian AF General charged with Transportation responsibilities in the Iranian AF Logistics Command. In that posi tion, he helped evacuate the last Americans from Iran prior to the seizure of the hostages in 1979. In 1982, he returned to San Antonio to represent Rohr Industries at Kelly AFB, a position he held for 11 years. Joe Rush was a bon vivant, a raconteur and eager world traveler. He was a man who never met a stranger. He and his wife Adeline nee Engel were married in St. Gerard's Catholic Church on June 14, 1949. He is survived by his wife and eight children. Harold J. Skip Rush of Kauai, Hawaii; Sharron and son-in-law Ron Hicks; Candice and James Moore of Austin, TX; Melanie and Kemp Davis, Kathleen {Tish Rush, Michael and Paula Rush, Laurie and Pat Praeger all of San Antonio and Lisa and Jeff Sterba of Omaha, NE. The children were all born during his years as an Air Force Officer and shared in most of the overseas tours that included England, Okinawa, Japan, Korea, Turkey, Philippines, Vietnam and Iran. He is further survived by his eleven grandchildren, by his sister and brother-in-law Dolly and James Daly of Palmyra, VA and sisters-in-law Janet Rush from Jersey City, NJ, and Evie Magee and her husband Buddy of San Antonio. His passing is a deep loss to his hundreds of dear friends all over the globe. Following the ceremony, an "Irish Wake" will take place at his residence. All friends and some selected enemies are invited to attend. In his words; but not in reality: "There will be a no-host bar." SERVICES A visitation will be held from 5:00 9:00 PM at Mission Park Funeral Chapels North on Wednesday, September 7, 2005 with a rosary to begin at 7:00 PM. A church service will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, September 8, 2005 at St. Lukes Catholic Church with interment to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross Victims of Hurricane Katrina Fund, P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013 or to the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #7108, 8705 North F.M. 1560, San Antonio, Texas 78254.

Tributes

Harold Joseph Rush

June 5, 1921 - September 4, 2005