Rush Maurice Mortimer

Rush Maurice “Reece” Mortimer was born in Adrian, Texas, Oldham County, in a railroad depot one early Saturday morning on September 5th, 1931, to the late Anna Gertrude Fitzgerald Mortimer and William Rush Mortimer. At the age of 15, Reece became part of the Womble family in Morse, Texas, due to the death of his father. He worked on the Womble Farm side by side with Mann Womble and his family, while visiting his mother “Ma” on weekends in Pampa, Texas. He graduated from Morse High School in 1949 and continued his education at Texas Tech.

His college education was interrupted by the Korean Conflict and a draft notice from the United States Army, where he served his country for three years as a corporal, earning the Good Conduct Medal and being named to the Honor Guard. After his discharge from the Army in June 1953, he returned to Texas Tech in September 1954 and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in education, with a focus on history, in 1956. During this time, he married Geraldine “Gerry” Anne Burrans, and they had two children, Dianne Renee and Steven Reece. He completed his master’s degree in 1959 in School Administration.

Rush worked for ECISD in many capacities, from elementary physical education coach to teaching history at Permian High and then leading Pease Elementary as the principal. Later, he completed his career as director of Special Education in Brenham I.S.D., retiring in 1989. A pivotal point in Reece’s life was his marriage to Marilyn Yvonne Booher Crow on November 24, 1971. This union brought her three children, Paul, Russell, and Rachel, into a relationship of mutual love and respect that matured throughout the years. Reece and Marilyn celebrated fifty years of marriage in 2021 and celebrated the legacy of their love that lives in the ever-growing family and friends. They dedicated their time to serving various organizations within their communities. He enjoyed playing golf, rolling out the red carpet for visiting family, or traveling with family, creating memories of a lifetime to be treasured. Although Reece retired from education, after two years of retirement, he became a history teacher at Blinn College, earning a nomination for Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities in 2000. Both he and Marilyn eventually fully retired and moved to Odessa to be in the center of their family, where they lived out their remaining years in great love and family fun. To know Rush was to be loved and cared for by him. He went above and beyond to make everyone in his presence feel seen, valued and served. It is often said that Rush Mortimer was the kindest person you would ever meet. He was a gentleman with a generous servant's heart. There was no greater optimist than Rush. Only two things ranked above his care for others: serving the Lord and loving and caring for Marilyn. He never hesitated to encourage others, offer comfort, or help in any way. He remained abundantly joyful and faithfully devoted to God's will until his very last days. He loved spending time with his family and was always ready to play with his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Playing games, reading, sharing meals, and planning extravagant trips with as many grandchildren as possible were his favorite activities, and he never missed a moment. Rush is now reunited with the love of his life, Marilyn Yvonne Booher Mortimer, and countless beloved family and friends that preceded him in death.

Honorary Pallbearers are Doug Spence, Daniel Crow, T.W. Wellmann, Mike Haley, Jose Meza, Chestin Clark, Ben Miller, and Bryan Medema. We are honored and thankful that Rush's nephew, Dennis Mortimer, son of George and Earlene Mortimer, is officiating the service to be held June 1st10:00am at Northside Baptist Church 100 west 50th Odessa Texas. He has known Uncle Reece his whole life, so there is no one better to serve our family during this time.

A visitation for Rush will be held Friday, May 31, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Frank W. Wilson Funeral Directors, 4635 Oakwood Dr, Odessa, Texas 79761. A celebration of life will occur Saturday, June 1, 2024 at 10:00 AM at Northside Baptist Church, 100 W 50th St, Odessa, Texas 79764.