John Brien Bush

John was born on March 16, 1959, in Chattanooga, Tennessee to the late Billy Graham Bush and Mary Dorothy Brien Cotter. He was loved and supported by several special families who he dearly treasured. John grew up attending OLPH Catholic School and graduated from Notre Dame High School in 1978 where he was on the wrestling and football teams. He attended the University of Tennessee, Knoxville and Chattanooga where he was a former walk on football player. As a child, John was a member of the eight and under relay swim team who held a national record for many decades, and he swam with the Chattanooga Angels under Coach Don Waters.

John was a devoted family man and was admired by many for being a very hard worker. He spent many years working for Mayfield Dairy and he was currently working as Vice President at Resource 1 Tier 3 Data Security for his close friend Chuck McDonald. John loved watching all Tennessee sports and was a devoted fan even when they broke his heart time and time again. He loved spending time with his family, working in the yard, and collecting golf balls. If you ever played golf at Nob North Golf Course and lost a ball near the 13th hole…it’s in one of John’s milk crates making up his golf ball collection. However, none of the above compared to his love of being a husband to his beloved wife, a dad to his three children, and a Poppy to his three precious grandchildren. John was a parishioner at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Chattanooga, TN

In addition to his parents, John was also preceded in death by his father-in-law Gerald Reid Merritt, sister-in-law, Sandy Holcomb Merritt, brother-in-law, Bill Russell, his brother, Francis Joseph Bush, and cousins, Susan Applewhite Bush and Mike Applewhite.

He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Deana Merritt Bush; his three children Kristin (Zach) Cone, John Brien Bush II, and Bailey (Ian Ammerall) Bush; his three grandchildren Stella, Theodore, and Max Cone; his siblings, Deborah (John) Grasso, Constance Russell, Billy (Grace) Bush; his mother-in-law Mickie Merritt; his brothers-in-law Scott (Terri) Merritt and David (Sandy) Merritt; his cousins, Chip (Mary Jo) Applewhite, Brien (Chris) Applewhite and several loved nieces and nephews.

Visitation for John will be Friday, August 7, 2026, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. in the Holy Family Hall at Our Lady of Perpetual Help (OLPH) Catholic Church, 501 South Moore Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37412. The Funeral Mass will begin at 12:00 p.m. in the sanctuary. A private inurnment will be held at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Chattanooga at a later date.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions be made to Renew Ministries at www.renewchatt.com in memory of John Brien Bush.

Arrangements are by the East Chapel of Chattanooga Funeral Home, Crematory & Florist, 404 South Moore Rd., Chattanooga, TN 37412.

Please share your thoughts and memories at www.ChattanoogaEastChapel.com.