Thomas Larry Rushing (Tom), was born September 18, 1942, in Transylvania, LA, and passed away November 22, 2020 in Oklahoma City, OK. Tom was born on the family farm, to Vivian and Roy Rushing, one of eleven children; The family moved to Tallulah, LA when he was six years old, where he lived until graduating from Tallulah High School. Throughout his life, he spoke proudly of being ‘from Tallulah’. Tom attended the University of LA, Monroe, for one year until joining the USAF in 1962, where he completed his AA degree as well as many other certification courses, and held a distinguished 23 year career. In one of his first duty stations, in San Pablo, Spain, he met his Sevillana sweetheart, Enriqueta Fernandez and they married in 1966. Together with their three children, they lived the military life of travel, stationed in multiple locales including Alaska, the Philippines, Madrid, and lastly, Tinker AFB, OK. He retired in 1987, as Chief Master Sergeant, the highest NCO rank, having his spent his last 15 years in leadership roles, providing guidance and mentorship to many. After his retirement from the U.S. military he owned several small businesses in Midwest City, OK.
Tom was a dedicated family man who took providing for his family, including his parents and mother in law as needed, and raising three children, very seriously. In recent years he lovingly cared for his wife Enriqueta, until her death in 2017. He also had a wacky sense of humor that resulted in ‘Oh dad (or grandpa)!’ replies from his family. We will miss that humor! Over the years he enjoyed various activities: In Alaska, hunting and fishing with his close friend Ray, family camping and sledding trips, riding snowmobile and dirt bike with his wife, and most weekends going to the NCO Club with their friends. In later years he golfed regularly with his ‘Golfin’ Buddies’ and even made a hole in one- twice, and swam a few times a week. He also enjoyed many hunting and fishing outings with son and best friend, Michael. He loved planting his springtime vegetable garden; He and his wife had adjacent plots in their backyard, where they would compete for the best crops-all in fun. In the past few years he had fun experimenting with growing plants new to him, as well as worms. He called them his projects to keep busy.
Although large distances and life in general separated Dad from most of his family, he was at his happiest when he could attend family reunions in LA, have lunch with his son, or visit his daughters. His blue eyes would twinkle and his voice would change when he spoke with love and pride about his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved to go and on about them!
Tom is preceded in death by his wife Enriqueta, his parents and 9 siblings. He is survived by his three children: Michael Rushing, and wife, Andrea, Linda Fernandes, and husband, Mike, Jeanie de Jong and husband, JL, as well as seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Houston and wife, Shirley Rushing, twenty nieces/nephews, and multiple lifelong friends.
Sending you off to join mom, with much love Dad!
In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the charity of your choice.
Mr. Thomas Rushing's Funeral Service will be livestreamed via the Bill Eisenhour NE Funeral Home Facebook Page here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/BillEisenhourFH/
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18