Thomas Earl Rushing

LTC Thomas E. Rushing, Sr., Retired, age 82, departed this earth on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 at home surrounded by his family after a heartbreaking battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Tom is remembered as having a gift of gab - some true and some embellished - never meeting a stranger. Tom was a member of Isle of Hope Methodist Church where he attended the Seekers Sunday School class before he became ill

Tom was born July 20, 1942, in Savannah, Georgia. He was predeceased by his parents, Earl Amythist Rushing and Eunice Pearl Coston-Rushing; and his brother, Robert Rushing. He is survived by his wife of 44 years, Yvette Harper Rushing; children, Brooke Cameron (Jason), Tommy Rushing (Jessica), Denise Bryan, Lori Casanova (Luis); grandchildren, Jaxon Cameron, Thomas Rushing III, Charles Rushing, Nicholas and Brayden Casanova, Mark and Cory Bryan; sisters, Mary Alice Jones (George), Cheryl Davies (Cabe), Kathy Oliver; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Tom was a 1960 graduate of Savannah High School. He received his associate degree at Brenau College through the Military College Program. Tom joined the Army National Guard at the age of 19 and retired after 35 years. During his military experience, he was command officer at the 165th Army National Guard Airlift Wing on Eisenhower Drive. After this assignment, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel and assigned to Army National Guard Headquarters in Atlanta, Georgia, as the Equal Opportunities Officer, where he met his wife, Yvette Harper-Rushing.

He also retired from Union Camp after 20 years. During his employment, he formed an electrical contracting business called, "Rushing Electric", in 1972 and after 8 years made the decision to leave Union Camp to begin running the electrical business full time.

He was a member and past president of Savannah Volunteer Guards; member of Chatham Artillery, and a member of the Alee Shriners Director's Staff where his passion was helping children through participating in events and fund- raisers for the Shriners Children's Hospital. He was also a 32-degree member of Zerubbabel Lodge #15 & A.M. since 1969 obtaining his 50-year apron in 2019.

When Tom was not working, he was involved with his children's activities supporting them in the sports that they were involved in. He camped and hunted with his son, Tommy Rushing. He was active at Juliette Lowe and involved as the Hollyberry Girl Scout Service Unit with his daughter, Brooke. When his children began playing college sports, he loved traveling to their soccer games to watch them play. His favorite hobbies were whatever they were involved in. He also loved to travel visiting Ireland, Greece, They Holy Land, Alaska, and many different countries in Europe of which Germany was his favorite.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday, October 4, 2024, at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, 7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31406.

A funeral service will be held 10:00 a.m., Saturday, October 5, 2024, at Baker McCullough Funeral Home, Hodgson Memorial Chapel, 7415 Hodgson Memorial Drive, Savannah, Georgia 31406.

Interment will be private.

The family would like to give a special thanks to: Sharon Scott who lovingly cared for Tom for over 3 years. She was sent by an angel from heaven. Gratitude is also given to Marco Toles from Coastal Care Partners and Hospice Savannah.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hope Arbor Scholarship Fund at Isle of Hope UMC Hope Arbor, 412 Parkersburg Road, Savannah, Georgia 31406. Hope Arbor is a community respite ministry to those who have memory loss and where Tom was a joyful participant.

Hope Arbor Scholarship Fund