Fred Clifford Bush

Fred Clifford Bush, age 87 of Warren, died Friday, November 1, 2019 at Ascension Providence Hospital in Rochester. He was born April 13, 1932 in Castlewood, Virginia, son of the late Delmar Edward and the late Edna Beatrice (nee: Casteel) Bush.

Born and instilled with a strong work ethos, Fred’s working years were a mix of both self & corporate employment. With his entrepreneurial spirit and the innovative mind to make it happen, Fred founded and initiated the beginnings of a grading and trucking firm, the C & J Bush Company, that has been an active and integral part of the construction scene in Michigan for many years. After building a widely successful business, Fred decided to pass the torch of leadership to his son, a responsibility which has since been shared with Fred’s third generation of dedicated family workers. They witnessed Grandpa’s vision and are now carrying it forth. Fred would be most proud.

From there, Fred had the desire to put his mechanical skills into action, so he went knockin’ on the doors at General Motors where he was gladly taken in and put to work as a tool setter for the automotive giant. With confidence in a job well done, and following 16 years of dedicated employment, Fred decided his working days had run their course and it was time to enter a new chapter in life as a retiree. The Golden Years were calling, so he answered that proverbial phone and retired with grace. But as the old saying goes; “you can take the man out of work, but you can’t take the work out of the man.” Fred may have ceased driving to work, but he still managed to get his hands dirty from time to time.

Such was the case when he headed out to the garden. Sure,…it may have entailed a bit of work, but tilling the soil and nurturing his gardens growth was more pleasure than work for Fred. Possessing a green thumb and the tender-loving-care of a greenhouse dude, the vegetables and flowers that sprouted and blossomed from Fred’s watchful care was not merely a vision of splendor for the neighbors, but a harvest for his home as well. The flowers were for his beloved Edith,…and thing of beauty for his beauty.

Another of Fred’s passions and favorite things to do was to get in the car and exchange the concrete jungle for a little slice of Heaven at the family’s cabin up in Ogemaw County. Nestled near the Rifle River in the middle of the Mitten lies their “home away from home” where a bit of  R&R was always the order of the day, and the peaceful serenity of Michigan’s up north experience infused Fred with extreme gratitude that he was blessed with such a wonderful respite from the world’s demands.

Then there was the other blessing in Fred’s life, a little furry friend by the name of “Angel,” a Bichon that warmed both his heart and lap, and infused his soul with that special sense of love that only our pets can instill. When his first angel, Edith went home to be with the Lord, his “furry Angel” provided just the right company and companionship he needed.

Yet, of course, there was no match for the love Fred’s family provided. They may not have been furry, but they were definitely his legacy of love and instilled their own sense of warmth to his soul. A loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Fred’s quiver was full of loved ones, happy memories, and a lifetime of moments shared with those most precious in his life. He also brought a wonderful and unique sense of humor to the table that kept everyone on their toes and their spirits filled with laughter. The patriarch of the family, Fred’s legacy will live on through the hearts and lives of those he leaves behind, the same of whom will cherish his memory with each reflection shared. He will be missed immensely and loved eternally.    

Fred was the beloved husband of the late Edith. Dear father of Fred Clifford Jr. (Sherry) Bush, Daniel (Kathleen) Bush, Jeffrey (Jenny) Bush, and Theresa (James Beck) Knight. Loving grandfather of Christopher Michael Bush, Amy Bush, Kevin (Torie) Bush, Katie Bush, Jene Marie (Derek) Elwart, Daniel Jr. (Erika) Bush, David Bush, Jessica Bush, Christopher Daniel Bush, Brandon (Sandi) Bush, Samantha (Michael) Abt, the late Brian Bush, and treasured great-grandfather of  Christopher Michael Jr., Chloe Elise, Lillyanna, Joana, Houston, Cooper, Rhylan, Brynnley, Isla, Chloe Diane, Caleb, Eddie, Kaylee, Liam, Karlee, Wyatt, and Hannah. Brother of Pauline Blevins, and preceded in death by 10 other siblings, Lois Blevins, Lillian Blevins, Evelyn Blevins, Frances McReynolds, Lena Robinette, Phyllis Hamm, Louise Collins, Annalee Kennedy, Paul Bush, and Ralph Bush.

Visitation for Fred will be held Sunday, Nov. 10th from 3-9 pm at the D.S. Temrowski & Sons Funeral Home, 30009 Hoover Road at Common (12 ½ Mile Road) in Warren.

Fred will lie in state on Monday from 10:30 am until time of the Funeral Service at 11:00 am at the Maranatha Church of God, 13700 Stephens Road in Warren. Entombment will follow at Cadillac Memorial Gardens East Cemetery in Clinton Township, Michigan.

Please share memories of Fred at his guest book below.