Posted on 12/18/2018
Captain Thornwell Frank Rush, U.S. Navy (Ret.), age 91, of Pensacola, passed away peacefully December 13, 2018 as he made one final flight into the Heavens. Frank was born in Camden, South Carolina and lived there until attending Newberry College, Newberry, South Carolina where he was a member of the football and baseball teams, and served as class president before receiving an appointment to the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Upon graduation from the Academy in June, 1951, Frank was commissioned as a Naval Officer and sent to Naval Air Station Pensacola for training as a Naval Aviator. While in Pensacola, Frank met Ann Jacqueline Warren, who would become his wife and love of his life. Together they raised two sons and two daughters. During his distinguished Naval career, Frank commanded Attack Squadron 36 (VA-36) aboard the USS Enterprise. He also commanded the aircraft carriers USS Shangri-La and USS Lexington. He was awarded numerous medals and citations that include: Legion of Merit; 2 Bronze Stars; 7 Air Medals; Meritorious Service Medal; 2 Navy Commendation Medals with Valor; China Service Campaign Award; Vietnam Service Campaign Award with Bronze Star; Korean Service Campaign Award; Navy Expeditionary (Cuba) Campaign Award; the National Defense Service Medal; the United Nations Medal; the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Meritorious Unit Citation Gallantry Cross; and the Vietnam Service Medal. Upon his retirement in May, 1982, Frank continued to serve his country as a flight simulator instructor at Naval Air Station Pensacola, passing on his vast knowledge to young aviators. His last "official duty" was as a docent at the Naval Aviation Museum in Pensacola where his background enabled him to illustrate the contributions of naval aviation to our national defense while sharing his unique experiences from piloting many of the aircraft on display. Despite serving at a variety of duty stations around the country during his long career, Frank made finding a church home for his family a priority with each move. While stationed in Pensacola in 1976, Frank and his family joined First Baptist Church where he served as a Deacon and was involved in many opportunities to outreach to the community for more than 42 years. Frank was preceded in death by his beloved Mother Pearl Mahoney Rush; his father Alva Jason Rush; brother Alva Jason Rush, Jr; sisters and brothers-in-law Doris Rush Martin and Walter Lewis Martin, Susan Rush Hunter and Arthur Wilson Hunter. Surviving Frank are his devoted wife Ann Jacqueline Warren Rush, his sons and daughters-in-law, Capt. Thornwell Frank Rush, Jr. (Ronna) and Sgt. David Scott Rush (Sally); daughters and sons-in-law Caroline Rush Stickel (Kevin) and Rebecca Rush Penton (Howard); his grandchildren Jennifer Ann Rush; Lt. Matthew Warren Rush, USN; Catherine Elizabeth Rush Ryan; Rachel Ann Rush Long; Robert Kemp Wilson IV; Angela Lynn Rush; Howard Wayne Penton III; and Jackson Rush Penton. In addition, are Frank's dear nephews and nieces, Alva Lewis Martin; Lynn Hunter Ackerman; Thomas Wayne Turner; and Lisa Chavis Zepp. Frank's amazing life can be summed up in a few simple words…devotion to family, faith and country. These traits were passed down to his family in whom he instilled a love of God, country and service that has lasted generations and will undoubtedly carry on. Visitation will be from 10:00am until the service begins at 11:00am Monday, December 17, 2018 at Pleitz Chapel, First Baptist Church of Pensacola, 500 N Palafox St, Pensacola, FL 32501. Interment will follow at Barrancas National Cemetery, aboard NAS Pensacola.
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