September 18, 1966 – September 23, 2021
Rodney Rushing passed away on September 23, 2021, at the age of 54. Rodney was born in Houston, Texas on September 28, 1966, to Bendel Sr and Katharine Rushing. Rodney is survived by his wife and best friend of 27 years, Yvette; his children, Elisa Nicole Rushing and Ryan Ray Rushing; his brothers Bendel and Ron Rushing; and his stepbrothers Billy, Chris and John Mayes.
Rodney grew up in Pearland and attended Pearland schools. He played trumpet in the school band and played basketball in high school. He was a Boy Scout in Troop 464 and achieved the highest award in Scouting, the Eagle rank. During this time, Rodney pushed himself to do better and better. After high school, Rodney joined Valero Refining and continued to work there for over 30 years. He went on to become a Shift Supervisor.
Rodney worked hard to provide for his family, working long hours to accomplish many amazing achievements. Rodney and Yvette loved to travel and explore the beautiful sights of mountain ranges, streams, and lakes. They rode their ATVs on numerous trails across the country. Rodney found his love for cycles when he was a young man. His first motorcycle was a red, white, and blue Honda 350x. Rodney’s love for ATV’s was passed down to his children and will continue to be passed down. He had an appreciation for the great outdoors and for the simpler things in life. Rodney liked to live by the motto “Go Big or Go Home”. Quite simply, Rodney was the all-American guy. Raised with traditional values and ideals, which he shared with his wife Yvette, and passed down to his children.
Rodney Ray Rushing overcame many adversities during his life. He was born deaf and before the age of 2 had several ear surgeries. He had to have eye surgery as a result of an accident as a young boy. He was involved in a serious car accident that involved the Jaws of Life. He suffered a pulmonary embolism that resulted from a shoulder replacement several years later. He truly had the spirit and will power of a prize fighter burning inside him every day! A man with 9 tremendous & arduous lives. After 44 days in the hospital and 34 days on a ventilator he succumbed to his extraordinary battle with Covid. He just couldn’t pull another card off the deck.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Bendel Rushing Sr., and Katharine Rushing.
He will be dearly missed by all of his family and friends. His family reminds everyone that Rodney “Hotrod” Rushing is truly “free”.
Friends are cordially invited to attend a visitation with the family at 5:00 P.M., with a Celebration of Life service to begin at 6:00 P.M., on Monday, October 4, 2021 at Jeter Memorial Funeral Home, 311 N. Friendswood Dr., Friendswood, TX 77546, (281) 992-7200.
Condolences may be sent to the Rushing family in care of Jeter Memorial Funeral Home at www.jeterfuneralhome.com.
4 thoughts on “Rodney Ray Rushing”
Our sincere Condolence to the Rushing Family. We are so sorry for your loss. We had to privilege of knowing the Rushing family through Boy Scout Troop 468. Our sons went through the scouting program with Ryan. Our hearts and prayers are with you. God Bless.
Our Deepest Condolences to the Rushing Family especially " Yvette, Elisa & Ryan". Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time. May he RIP and may God Bless you all now and forever…
Rodney and I worked at Valero together for many years, we even went to school together in Pearland. After discussing our many trials and tribulations that we have on our out of town trips, we invited him and his family to hit the trails and the rocks on our next trip. It wasn't hard to see how much he loved it and wouldn't be out there without his family by his side. He love the sights to be seen from the trails and loved the challenges of rock crawling on the more difficult trails. He gave it everything he had, sometimes that was more than his buggy could take and we ended up repairing on the trail. He and his family traveled and met up with our riding group in many beautiful states, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Utah, Colorado and of course Texas to ride the side by sides. His always had his family there by his side enjoying it together. He will be missed by all of his riding friends and buddies.
The loss of our friend will be felt everytime we hit the trails from this moment on. Our most heartfelt condolences to his wife Yvette, son Ryan and daughter Nicole.
We pray for peace for his family in this most difficult time. We are there for you when you need us. Just let us know. Your friends Tammy and Robert Abshire, Amanda and Hal Black.
I enjoyed having the Rushing family as my neighbors for 10 years and never lost contact with them. Everyone knows how smart Rodney was I always trusted his advice and went to him many times because he was honest and straight forward. I will never forget when a kid was picking on his daughter on the school bus so the next morning all 6' 9" of him got on the school bus and found that bully. Also, I remember him and his daughter standing at my front door selling Girl Scout Cookies his size alone made you buy some. He was always in the driveway after work playing Basketball with Ryan he truly wanted him to become a professional player. He was so proud when he had his beautiful house landscaped and felt so blessed he had so much. Of course, Yvette was the love of his life I will never forget the story of how they met. He had a hilarious personality!