Bob "Coach" Bush

Bobby Ray Bush, 90, of Dogwood Valley Rd., Forest City, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at his residence.

A native of Summerville, GA, he was born on July 14, 1932, a son of the late Edward Jackson Bush, Sr. and Ida Mae Rutherford Bush. He was a graduate of Summerville High School, Gardner Webb University and Appalachian State University. He received his Master’s Degree from Western Carolina University. He was a teacher and football and basketball coach at Clover High School in Clover, SC and then at Chase High School in Forest City, NC. He served as assistant principal at Chase High School and principal at Proctor Primary School and Shiloh Elementary School. He was a Christian man and a longtime member of Caroleen Baptist Church. He served in the US Army at Fort Benning, GA. Bobby was married for 61 years to the love of his life, Sarah Kincaid Bush, until her death in 2013. They are now reunited in heaven and walking the streets of gold together.  Bobby was a gifted athlete. He was co-captain of the 1950 Georgia State Championship Basketball Team.  He was selected All Conference in basketball and baseball at Summerville High School. While at Gardner-Webb, he was selected all conference in basketball, football, and baseball and lettered in all three sports. Bobby signed a pro baseball contract with the Cleveland Indians Organization in 1952. Bobby was inducted into the Gardner Webb University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1992. Bobby loved coaching and his players were and always have been a special part of his life. He always spoke with great admiration and love for them. Bobby was selected as High School Coach of the year in the state of SC in 1961 while at Clover and Conference Coach of the year in 1967 while at Chase. He was inducted into the Chase High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 2008. He served on the Alumni Board of Directors at Gardner Webb University. He was selected to the Gardner Webb Gallery of Distinguished Alumni in 2003. He was an avid golfer. He loved the game, his golfing buddies and the competition. He won numerous tournaments during his golfing days. He later started a new hobby of writing song lyrics and melodies. He was a staff writer for Lamon Records in Charlotte NC from 1975-1994. He wrote many songs that were recorded. Several were performed on National TV Station TNN. He won the WAGY Radio Songwriters Contest in 1980 and 1981 and the WOHS Shelby NC Radio Songwriting Contest in 1982. He loved playing and listening to music with his friends and family. Bobby loved Duke basketball, his daily cream horns, breakfast at the Snack Shoppe with his friends, and shopping at thrift stores to find the perfect” treasure” for his record and CD collection. Bobby was a loving friend to all and known to Coach to many. He had a huge heart and would always reach out to help others any way he could. He loved unconditionally. He was a kind and loving husband to his wife Sarah. He was a caring and precious Daddy to his two daughters, Linda and Karen. He was #1 Granddad and Great Granddad to his grandson Matt and great granddaughter, Prezley. He had a special bond and loved Linda’s fiancé, Barry and Karen’s husband, Brent which made the family circle complete. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, his wife, Sarah Kincaid Bush; two brothers, Edward Bush Jr. and   Jimmy Bush, two sisters, Curtis Brown and Frances Floyd; his brothers and sisters-in-law, Ralph Brown, JW Floyd, Betty Bush, Marge Bush, Bob and Iva Jean Beason, Jerry Adams, David and Franda Kincaid. He is survived by his two daughters, Linda Bush Upton and fiancé Barry Baxley of Forest City, NC and Karen Bush Hill and husband Brent of Green Hill, NC.; one grandson, Matt Arrowood; one great granddaughter, Prezley Arrowood; one sister-in-law, Edith Adams; numerous nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

A celebration of Bobby’s life will be held at 5:00 pm on Tuesday, July 26, 2022 at Caroleen Baptist Church with the Rev. Jeff Watts officiating. Visitation will immediately follow in the church Fellowship Hall.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorials be made to the church or organization of your choice in memory of Bobby.