Deacon John Arthur Bush Jr.

John Arthur Bush Jr was born on March 20, 1945, in Evansville IN to John Arthur Bush Sr. and Helen Holland. John sadly passed away surrounded in the love of his family on June 15, 2021. He went to Chestnut Walnut Grade School and Lincoln High School. Graduated from Central in 1963 where he played football, basketball and played in the band and orchestra. He professed his faith in Jesus Christ at an early age at McFarland Missionary Baptist Church by Rev. L.A. McIntire. He was ordained as a deacon by Rev. R.V. Terry at Zion Missionary Baptist Church. He later joined Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church to be with his wife of 26 years, Joyce Ann, under Pastor Larry Rascoe, they dated for 3 years that gave them a total of 29 years together. They were joined together in holy matrimony by Pastor Larry Rascoe on February 25, 1995. He continued as a deacon, Sunday School Superintendent, published the church monthly newsletters, and served on Nazarene’s Joshua Academy Preschool Board.
John joined the U.S. Air Force in 1963 after graduating from high school. While in the Air Force he served as an Air Policeman and was honorably discharged in 1967. After leaving the Air Force, he became employed at the Evansville Courier Press as a District Manager, WFIE-TV as a cameraman and a News Director working with Marcia Yockey. Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corp as a bus mechanic and bus driver, Western Diesel as a diesel mechanic. John retired from CSX Railroad after 20 years of service as a locomotive engineer. After retiring from the railroad, the very first day of his retirement he was hired as a driver for Ride Solutions driving for the Warrick County area. He thoroughly enjoyed this job because he enjoyed talking to people and felt like he was helping others where some clients were wheelchair-bound to get to their destinations and enjoyed teasing the students in Warrick County. The students really loved John because he was like a kid himself. He would always stop at Dunkin Donuts to buy them donuts before he dropped them off to school. He drove the vans and buses for the students. When his health and memory began to fail, he knew he had to stop driving. John always talked about his family who he dearly loved. He was all about family. John and Joyce always traveled going away to different countries. They were called the “world travelers”. Whenever people would see the couple, the question was always asked, “Where are you all traveling to next”. Their most favorite place was in Aruba. Plans had been made to travel to Paris, France in October, 2020 but due to the covid virus, their trip was canceled. The couple’s last trip together was their 12-day cruise to Hawaii in 2018. The following year in June 2019, John was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer. John was a saxophone player with several bands in Evansville which included the Montclairs, Johnnie Soul and the J.S. Blues Bunch, and Inner City Express (I.C.E.). John always introduced the band and saved himself last to be introduced. He was given a band name by a long-time friend, Timothy Thomas, a well-known artist from Evansville as (Johnny Alowishish Leonardo Divinci Mahoney Quincy Bush, Jr the Second). He was also involved in several organizations such as the American Legion Post 354 where he was the Post Adjutant for twelve years. John always spearheaded the events and fundraisers at the Post in order to help their finances. He had that certain type of leadership to get the ball rolling for various functions. The Sterling Club, Inc. as the Club secretary and a former member of The Blackjacks Motorcycle Club and State Burners Motorcycle Club. For the people who really knew John never met a stranger. He was always friendly and joked all of the time. John was the type of person who would give a person his shirt off of his back. Preceding him in death, a step-sister, Jeanette Benton and step-son, Troy D. Smith.
He leaves behind a loving and ride or die wife, Joyce Ann Bush, a sister Glenda Nadine Holland and brother David Lewis Holland (Kaye) Charlotte, NC; daughters Ampria Darlene Bush, Charlotte, NC and Dayatra Lynn Bush, Marion, In; sons, John A. Bush III (JJ), Ft. Wayne IN, Bryan M. Bush (Jamie) Atlanta, GA; Adopted children Alice Rodriguez, Ft. Worth TX, Lawrence Bush, Arlene Jackson, Lecrecia Bush, Evansville IN; step-children Tamera Fields and TaRon Fields all of Evansville, IN. 15 grandchildren; hosts of great-grandchildren; nieces, nephews, cousins and many long time friends. A very special friend, Albert (Bibby) Madison who was always there to help him in anyway.
Thanks to the doctors for their special care, Dr. Manga Kodali, Dr Noah Taylor of The Chancellor Center of Oncology, Dr. Kenneth Yagodich at the Ascension Medical Center, Newburgh Healthcare and Heritage Hospice. He would always say to his family and others, “Im still kicking but not as high”. John was a fighter until the end. He fought long and hard but was ready for his final destination to be with the Lord.
Visitation will be Wednesday, June 23, 2021, 9 to 11:00 a.m. with a funeral to follow at 11:00 a.m. at Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church. Interment will be at Sunset Memorial Park. Osborne Funeral Home has been entrusted with final care.