Edwin Ray Rushing

Rushing, Edwin Ray. Ray passed away and went to his Lord and Savior on January 24, 2017, after an extended illness from viral cardiomyopathy. Ray was born on August 1, 1946, in Beaumont, Texas, to George Edwin Rushing and Willa Brooks (Billie) Rushing. Ray graduated from Garland High School and later graduated from Southern Methodist University, where he majored in business. Ray served in the Army National Guard. He worked at Southern Bank and Trust, where he met the love of his life, Linda Winsett. Ray and Linda married on August 1, 1970, his birthday, at First United Methodist Church in Garland, the church in which he grew up. They were married 46 years.

Ray later worked at Texas Masonry and carried the love of homebuilding throughout his life, having a home built for Linda as a surprise. He remained active in United Masonry Contractors Association for the rest of his life, serving as Executive Director and making lifelong friends.

In 1973, Ray and Linda had twin daughters, Susan and Sharon. He was proud of their accomplishments and his grandchildren's accomplishments. He loved being a husband, father, and grandfather. In 1981, he began working at Winsett Bookkeeping and Tax Service with Linda’s parents, J.W. and Juanita Winsett, who started the business in downtown Garland in 1954. Ray loved working with small mom-and-pop and mid-size businesses and their owners, as well as Winsett’s many tax clients. He later purchased the business when J.W. grew older and reduced his workload. After J.W.’s death, Ray, Linda, and Juanita all worked together for several years until Juanita retired. Ray and Linda loved working together and loved working with their family. Their days were filled with so much fun working and being together. Ray said he would never retire because he loved the customers so much.

He passed his love of books, dogs, andnature on to his daughters. Ray loved Texas: his hometown Garland, the coast, and Big Bend. Ray had a strong Christian faith and leaned heavily on God. He was a strong leader and servant in the Church and a source of kindness and support for so many through the years. He was one of the funniest guys and enjoyed jokes. He had a deep knowledge of many arcane subjects and an uplifting spirit. Ray gave encouragement and demonstrated generosity to others and loved everyone he knew.

Special thanks to Dr. Manish Assar, Dr. Amarinder Bindra, Dr. David Mason, and Dr. Brooke Mills at Baylor University Medical Center, and to the many other physicians and nurses, techs, and therapists who provided such attentive care.

Ray was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Betty Smith. He is survived by his wife, Linda, daughter and son-in-law Susan and Rodney Adams, and daughter and son-in-law Sharon and Andrew Grimes, as well as grandchildren Sara and Matthew Adams, and Margaret, Mark-Andrew, Emma, Alex, and Abigail Grimes. He is also survived by his mother-in-law Juanita and brother-in-law Tom Smith, and many other beloved relatives, friends, and clients whom he considered family. Thank you for your many prayers, help, and visits over this past year.

A service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 28. Charles W. Smith and Sons Funeral Home, 2925 Fifth Street, Sachse, TX 75048. Music at the service will be provided by Larry Tonroy, who played the music at Ray’s and Linda’s wedding.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Ducks Unlimited conservation efforts: 1-800-45-DUCKS or http://www.ducks.org/get-involved/memorial-giving or to the American Heart Association.