James Bush
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Funeral services for James R. Bush, 45, Lawrence, KS, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, October 9, 2010 at the Lawrence Free Methodist Church. Burial will follow in the Oak Hill Cemetery. He died on Saturday, October 2, 2010 at Shawnee Mission Medical Center after a sudden heart attack while umpiring baseball in Johnson County.
He was born on August 21, 1965 in Somerville, New Jersey, the son of Daniel and Dixie Norma Langston Bush. He moved to Lawrence with his wife and children in December 2002.
Mr. Bush was working in sales and marketing for Maceli’s in Lawrence. He was the former senior pastor at the First Southern Baptist Church in Lawrence from 2003 – 2007. He has since then served as an interim pastor at the First Baptist Church in Bellevue, NE. Earlier in his career, he served the First Baptist Church in Pinckneyville, IL, the First Baptist Church in Union City, TN, The Cheat Lake Baptist Church in Morgantown, WV and the First Baptist Church in Ft. Myers, FL.
He held academic degrees from University of South Carolina, B.A. in Political Science 1987, and Master’s of Divinity from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, KY in 1992. He had begun doctoral studies at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Kansas City in 2006.
Mr. Bush was a member of the First Southern Baptist in Lawrence, Lawrence Chamber of Commerce, the Lawrence Rotary Club and was the former president of the Lawrence Central Rotary Club. He was a former candidate for the Lawrence City Commission. He was a certified coach, had worked as a volunteer for the Salvation Army bell ringing, and as a volunteer for the United Way Day of Caring. He was also a co-founder of Passport, Inc a camping experience for youth. He officiated at area youth football, basketball and baseball games.
He was married to Sandra “Sandy” Knight on August 22, 1992 in Florence AL. She survives of the home. Other survivors include a daughter, Mary Esther Bush, of the home, two sons, James Bush, Jr., and Langston Bush, both of the home. He is also survived by a brother, Dan Bush, of Boston, MA and a sister, Sharon Bush, of Englewood, New Jersey, many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will greet friends from 6-7:30 p.m. Friday at Warren-McElwain Mortuary in Lawrence.
The family suggests memorials in his name to the Educational Fund for the Children of James & Sandy Bush and may be sent in care of the mortuary.
Sandy, James Jr., Langston, and Mary Esther,
You have our deepest sympathy during this very difficult time. We will keep you in our thoughts and prayers.
Ernie and Karen
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Sandy, James Jr., Langston & Mary Esther: My deepest sympathy to all. My thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time. You and your family have crossed my thoughts thousands of times since you all left us. Will continue to lift you to Him in prayers.
Sandy and children – My heart breaks for your loss of such a special man. James was a light and visionary for our church. He baptized me and dedicated 2 of our boys to the Lord. I know heaven is rejoicing, and I am praying God will mend your hearts. Love to you all! Leah Wagner and family
Sandy & kids, I am so sorry for your loss. We have all been blessed to know James. I thoroughly enjoyed the times we spent together. You can be sure that many people in Pinckneyville will be praying for your comfort and strength. Be comforted by knowing for certain that James received “Well done, My good and faithful servant!”
Sandy and family,
You are in our prayers. Philippians 4:7- And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Dear Sandy, Phyllis and I are so sad to hear of James passing. We loved him. When you have time to ask for help, please ask us.
Greg and Phyllis
Sandy,
I am so very sorry for your loss. James was so special and such an inclusive pastor.
My husband and I pray for your comfort.
Sue and Joe McKinstry
Dear Sandy, I was so sorry to hear of your loss. Our family’s thoughts & prayers are with your family. James baptized Cory, and I’m happy to have pictures from that happy time!
Dear Bush Family,
You don’t know me and I only met James once, while he was umpiring our game on Saturday when he got sick. All of the kids and the parents of our team were so saddened to hear the news of his passing. After reading his obituary, I can see what a special person he was, and how much he’ll be missed. Please know that we are so grateful for his service as an umpire. Even though I didn’t know him, he has had a profound impact on me. Please also know that I send my heartfelt condolences to your entire family.
Best,
Anne Russ
Sandy, James Jr., Langston & Mary Esther:
James meant a lot to First Baptist Church of Bellevue. He helped us in a time of transition. He like a shepherd lead us during a time when we could have wandered into darkness. Who knows the mystery of God? He is faithful and just, He is with is times of want. Keep Him close during this time. Many are praying for you. Psalms 39:5
Sandy, James Jr., Langston & Mary Esther:
James meant a lot to First Baptist Church of Bellevue. He helped us in a time of transition. He like a shepherd lead us during a time when we could have wandered into darkness. Who knows the mystery of God? He is faithful and just, He is with is times of want. Keep Him close during this time. Many are praying for you. Psalms 39:5
Sandy and family, you are in our thoughts and prayers each day. Wish we could be there with you to give you a big hug.
You are in our thoughts and prayers. GOD bless
Our deepest condolences to Sandy, James, Mary and our dear Langston. May it bring you comfort to know that nothing can affect the wonderful ways your father touched your lives.
You are in our prayers
The Lopez Family
Andover, KS
Our deepest condolences to Sandy, James, Mary and our dear Langston. May it bring you comfort to know that nothing can affect the wonderful ways your father touched your lives.
You are in our prayers
The Lopez Family
Andover, KS
I am sorry for your great loss. James was a big part of my life I will miss him deeply. He will be missed by all.
I remember when we were kids, James was the one who could always make me laugh. He liked to imitate the characters on cartoons and commercials. We would giggle and carry on for hours. He will be missed. God Speed James I love you cousin..
Dear Sandy and children, my heart breaks for each of you. Sandy, you and James really impacted my life during your ministry here in Pinckneyville. Words cannot express the love I have for you all. You and your family will always have a special place in my heart. My prayers are with you.
Dear Bush family,
On behalf of the White Sox, our deepest condolences on James’ passing away. We where one of the teams playing on Saturday. James was a wonderful man to give his life to our Lord Jesus Christ, but he gave more. He gave back to every kid he officited their games. Truly a man of God and he will meet Christ in Heaven with a “well done my faithful servant” May the peace and love of Jesus Christ surrond the Bush Family.
My most sincere condolences for you sandy and children for the sudden loss of your husband and father. James and I worked together at Maceli’s. Although I only knew him for 2 short years, his smiling face will be greatly missed.
Sandy and children, I am saddened by your loss. I didn’t know you and James that well but I knew immediately that you were both special people. I was sad when you left Pinckneyville. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
So sorry for your loss I will keep you and your family in my prayers.God Bless you.
Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal. We love you.
Dearest Bush Family,
On behalf of the Aces Baseball Team, our heartfelt condolences. James umpired our game with the White Sox on Saturday. It is clear that his ministry extended well beyond the walls of a church. His love of the game and his devotion to the kids was obvious. I was fortunate enough to be with him until the ambulance arrived. As I told him our thoughts and prayers were with him, he asked me to thank everyone for their help. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16) James’ light shined on us, and we are better for it.
Sandy, so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers are with you and your family in the difficult time. I will pray that you will be allowed to see the far reaching results of James ministry and life on earth, and will have the peace that only God can supply. Love and prayers. Beth
Dear Sandy and Family, James will always have a special place in our hearts. He married my daughter Heather to Jimmy Bauersachs in December 2002. We will pray that God gives you and your family comfort and peace at this very, very difficult time.
Sandy, Bette and I are very sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and the children.
Sand, James Jr., Langston & Mary Esther, I was so saddened to hear of James’ death. Brad the girls and I send our sincere condolences for your sudden and tragic loss. We will continue to pray for you all that God will pour out His comfort and peace to you in the upcoming weeks and months as you grieve.
Brad, Sheri, Samantha & Jacki Olson
Sandy and Children; We are devastated to learn of your sudden loss of James. We pray that God’s Peace will be with you and your family in this tragic time of grief.
Sincere condolences, may God bring you peace during this difficult time. James will be greatly missed on the court and diamond.
Sincere condolences, may God bring you peace during this difficult time. James will be greatly missed on the court and diamond.
My dear friend, Sandy, and her 3 beautiful children, there are no words to express how my heart breaks for you,no words that will bring comfort to you. I pray that the Holy Spirit will speak comfort to your hearts as no mortal words can. I love you!
Sandy, James Jr., Langston, and Mary Esther: Our love and prayers go out to you at this very difficult time. May God wrap you in His loving arms, comfort, and give you the peace that only He can give. We love you and are thinking of you.
My very deep condolences for your loss. I met James during his first campaign for City Commission and served on his steering committee two years later. He was very thoughtful and articulate about the community and issues about which he cared so deeply. I so enjoyed walking the neighborhood and talking politics with James during that campaign. I will very much miss his friendship and comraderie.
To Sandy and your three beautiful children I send to you all the love my heart can give. I loved my cousin James always for his smile and kindness and sense of humor. But most of all for how much he loved you all. His light will shine on you!
The Bush Family,
As is the case with the “graduation” of a Follower of Christ to the Lord’s presence, there is both sadness at the loss but Joy in knowing that he is in the loving arms of his Savior. I agree with the sentiments of some of my/James’ cousins. Growing up with James, we experienced his ability to bring joy, humor and a positive slant to every situation. The few times that I was privileged to be around you and James and the children, it was obvious to me that he had a deep abiding love for you all. He was an example and an encouragement to me!
We are so sorry to hear about James. He was a dynamic person and will be missed. Our prayers are with you all. God bless.
Dear Bush Family; we are saddened by your loss. We remember James as a coach of the Comets when Jud was on the same team as Langston. You all will be in our prayers.
Rebecca Weeks
Dear Sandy, James Jr., Langston and Mary Esther, Words cannot express the sympathy and concern we send you. We will be praying God will give each of you strength in the coming days and continue to hold you and enable you to have rest and peace in His name as time passes. In His Love, Don & Pam
Dear Sandy, James Jr, Langston and Mary Esther, we are so sorry for the loss of James. We were shocked and saddened when we heard about his death. You guys were great neighbors during our time on Crossgate Terrace and we remember how your family welcomed us when we moved next door in 2003. You are in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
To the James Bush Family. May GOD comfort each of you during this very difficult time. I had the great honor of serving God under the direction of James while we worshiped together at First Baptist Church Union City Tennessee . Our thoughts and prayers are with your family at this time. I am glad God gave me the opportunity to know a man like James.
Dear Sandy and children, I’m so sorry you’ve lost your partner and dad. Though I’ve never met you, James spoke so lovingly of you all. There’s little that can be more difficult than this, and I’m glad you have your spiritual community and family and friends to see you through this. My thoughts are with you. Dear Sharon and Dan I am thinking of you all these days as we move towards the anniversary of Jimmy’s death. Our brothers – they leave us here to mourn, to want them back, to try to fill the hole that is left with their passing. I’m sorry James died. I’m sorry you and Danny lost your little brother. It hurts bad, I know. I’m sorry and send you my love.
xox Bon
So sory for your loss
God bless.
(members of Joe & Debbie sunday school class.)
Dear Sandy and children, we were so sad to hear about Pastor James. We were so blessed at FBC Bellevue to have him for the year he was with us. He touched our lives when we really need someone special. We always looked forward to his visit each week. The only comfort in all this is that we know he is in heaven and how sweet that is for him and one day we will see him again. We will keep your family in our prayers.
Sandy,
Praying for you and your family! God be with you.
(Forest Hill Baptist)
Dawn and I are praying for your family in this difficult time. We loved having James as our Pastor.
Andrew Stull
Sandy, you may or may not remember me but I still live behind your parents. I just learned of your husband’s passing today. I am so sorry for your loss. Hold strong to your faith and God WILL see you through this difficult time. I just wanted you to know that I will be praying for you and your children. I cannot imagine your loss and hope that you can somehow find peace in the days, weeks and years to come.
Genie and I regret the passing of our cousin. Our prayers are for the family. Even if we have never met, you all are family and we love you. Give each other a big hug from this part of the Langston family in south Jersey.
We were very saddened to hear of your loss. We will be praying for you and your precious family. Larry & Joy Smith
Jim was a friend of our sons Kelly and Kevin when he lived in Clinton, NJ. He spent a lot of time at our house and we took him camping with us. We thought of him as our 5th son and although we haven’t seen him for a long time we will still miss him. He was a great young man. Our sincere sympathy to you and your children
I first met James at a Lawrence Central Rotary meeting. We were both new members and that commonality led us to find other things of mutual interest. When James said he wanted to run for city commission I was surprised and honored that he asked me to be his campaign manager. Although we had not kept in touch the last several years, his ready smile and cheery manner will always come to mind as I remember him. In 2007, when we worked together, my mother passed away and James was very concerned that I take the time needed to grieve. We talked about grief and how it is different for every one. It is difficult when a friend as young as James dies. Although I am sure he would have ready counsel to give, words come slower and more deliberately to me. I pray your family can find strength in your faith with the support of family and friends and that as time heals this deep sorrow your memories will forever keep James close to you in thought, word and deed.
Sandy, we were so sorry to hear of James’ passing. He was a wonderful pastor to us at First Southern, and also baptized me while we were there. He was a great man of God and know that he is rejoicing with the Lord now. Lots of people are praying for you and the kids- and we are too. Bridgett.
Sandy, I am so shocked and sad to hear of your loss. I always remember what a strong Christian faith you have and know that God will substain you in this time. Our prayers and love to you and your children…Mary and Jeff Hunt
Dear Sandy,
I am shocked and overwhelmed at hearing this news today. I was looking for a way to find you and James and ran across the obituary.
We have wonderful, fond memories and want you to know how much we care. Much, much love to you and your family. Judy